Why did the mission to the Anglo-Saxons stall in 596: anxiety, politics or money?

Laynesmith, M. (2025) Why did the mission to the Anglo-Saxons stall in 596: anxiety, politics or money? The Journal of Ecclesiastical History, 76 (3). pp. 513-535. ISSN 1469-7637 doi: 10.1017/S0022046924001532

Abstract/Summary

This paper explores the crisis of 596 which interrupted Augustine of Canterbury's mission to the Anglo-Saxons, necessitating his return to Rome. Bede's interpretation of this as a moment of psychological failure is discounted. Political changes in Merovingian Gaul associated with the death of Childebert are reconsidered. A new economic explanation is advanced based on the wording of Gregory the Great's letter of encouragement to Augustine and his fellow missionaries, consideration of the management of the papal estates in Gaul and the behaviour of Virgilius, metropolitan of Arles.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/id/eprint/123715
Identification Number/DOI	10.1017/S0022046924001532
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Chaplaincy
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
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