Heptarchy and Christianisation History of England

britain c. 800

christianisation of anglo-saxon england began around ad 600, influenced celtic christianity northwest , roman catholic church southeast. augustine, first archbishop of canterbury, took office in 597. in 601, baptised first christian anglo-saxon king, aethelbert of kent. last pagan anglo-saxon king, penda of mercia, died in 655. last pagan jutish king, arwald of isle of wight killed in 686. anglo-saxon mission on continent took off in 8th century, leading christianisation of practically of frankish empire 800.

throughout 7th , 8th century power fluctuated between larger kingdoms. bede records aethelbert of kent being dominant @ close of 6th century, power seems have shifted northwards kingdom of northumbria, formed amalgamation of bernicia , deira. edwin of northumbria held dominance on of britain, though bede s northumbrian bias should kept in mind. succession crises meant northumbrian hegemony not constant, , mercia remained powerful kingdom, under penda. 2 defeats ended northumbrian dominance: battle of trent in 679 against mercia, , nechtanesmere in 685 against picts.

the so-called mercian supremacy dominated 8th century, though not constant. aethelbald , offa, 2 powerful kings, achieved high status; indeed, offa considered overlord of south britain charlemagne. offa summon resources build offa s dyke testament power. however, rising wessex, , challenges smaller kingdoms, kept mercian power in check, , 9th century mercian supremacy over.

this period has been described heptarchy, though term has fallen out of academic use. word arose on basis 7 kingdoms of northumbria, mercia, kent, east anglia, essex, sussex , wessex main polities of south britain. other small kingdoms politically important across period: hwicce, magonsaete, lindsey , middle anglia.