Augustine of Canterbury

by Margaret Deanesly

This study deals with St. Augustine's training, character, and background; the sending of his mission; his work in Kent; the structure of the church he established; the nature of the ministry he founded for the continuance of his work.

175 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

From Google Books: "Margaret Deanesly (1885-1944) was professor emeritus in the University of London. Among her many publications were The Pre-Conquest Church in England, Augustine of Cantebury, and A History of the Medieval Church 590-1500."

Reviews

[John Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read, scholarly as I’d expect from the author, and therefore a tad dry in parts. But it has stimulated my interest in this period of history, especially the Christianisation of Britain.

Augustine must have been ultra-savvy, a skilled diplomat amongst his many other skills. To be able to deal so successfully with warrior pagan kings (and live to tell the tale!). He successfully converted King Aethelberht of Kent, baptised him and thereafter had his protection and financial support. Bertha, Aethelberht’s Christian Queen consort was a help of course.

The fusion of cultures at this time is rich and exciting to contemplate. They blossomed as neighbouring kings slew each other. Similarly, infant Christianity in the islands of Britain ran alongside pagan sacrifice to other gods. Eventually the Christian God won out over the lesser gods, though it was all very precarious. The apparent ease of travel, not only between southern and northern Britain, (Canterbury to Monkwearmouth and Jarrow) but continental runs – to Gaul and Rome in particular is hard to realise. Those books and manuscripts to-ing and fro-ing across the seas 1400+ years ago!!

The apparent harmony in the north between the Celtic Christianity of Iona and that of Augustine and Gregory was in marked contrast to Augustine’s experience of the welsh church, determined to remain firmly separate. The extent of Augustine’s achievement can be seen in retrospect with the Synod of Whitby in 664, called to determine when Easter should be celebrated. Oswiu, the Northumbrian King, despite his Ionian teachers would side with Rome and the apostolic tradition (ie “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church...I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven”).

Augustine sleeps in Canterbury but his legacy lives on.