Bede describes Augustine and his companions as being, “paralyzed with terror” when they fully comprehended that they were journeying to, “barbarous, fierce, and unbelieving” England, (Rosenwein, 97). Bede’s account of England before Augustine’s arrival characterizes it as violent as well as imbibed with religions that sacrifice to devils and contain “magic arts, (Rosenwein, 98). This history affects Augustine’s mission by educing fear but by also pointing out the fact that the peoples that they are bringing the gospel to are in fact foreign to them. Their religious practices are sacrificial and their language is unknown to the missionaries. Because of this, Gregory has the tact to implore the fellow bishop Etherius for help and to assist Augustine and his companions. This also was a political move in the way in which Gregory asks permission for his missionaries to go into Etherius’s domain while also using manipulative language in order to show the need for assistance yet at the same time not admitting a lack of faith. This is a good example of the way that even in the beginning of the church, the moves of those in power were strategic and commanding, recognizing the way that religion can sway leadership. Furthermore Augustine wisely employs translators and fellow priests for help and protection. Gregory also guides him to not change the location of temples and their practices but instead redirect the people’s sacrifices to the Lord instead of to Pagan gods. He mentions the way in which King Ethelbert, “At last… believed and was baptized, being attracted by the pure life of the saints and by their most precious promises. Whose truth they confirmed by performing many miracles”, (Rosenwein, 100). This correlates well with Bede’s earlier mentioning of the king’s superstitions. It alludes to the way in which miracles and promises played a part in conversion, because it was similar. Just as festivals and sacrifices were integral to the previous beliefs held by the “pagans of England”,in the same way magic and superstitions were a part of daily life and religion as well. Therefore through not only faith and purity of beliefs were English converts won, but also through practical choices of religious acts and locations.
Bede uses this history to provide a window into the workings of the appointments and political or business side of the minsters. Augustine's life in Canterbury is characterized by Gregory's encouragement to win converts to the faith and to step out of the comfort that he himself possesses, but also chastises Augustine when he is doing so many miracles that people praise him and not god. Finally Gregory mobilizes a power structure to secure Augustine's place in the religious society. This includes the sending of religious relics and manuscripts in order to show and endow Augustine and his church with authority, not only in the mission field but also as a sign to other religious officals in the surrounding areas. An example of this is the pallium.
This document displays the importance, not only of conversion but of the way in which it is done. Bede displays the way in which Augustine must not only be careful of the culture he is stepping into but also of the religious territory it is under. The way in which Gregory makes a way by inciting other religious elders to assist Augustine is a portrait of the political nature of the inner workings of the early church and the need for religious language to be both spiritual-giving all power to God while also being political-acknowledging the other religious authorities while ascerting ones own influence. One of the greatest things to notice in this text is the difference in the amount of physical space in which it talks about the kingship in comparison with the space that is concerned with the church's hierarchy. This document is a possesses an introductory look into the way the church dealt with power and conversion in the anglo world.
Bede uses this history to provide a window into the workings of the appointments and political or business side of the minsters. Augustine's life in Canterbury is characterized by Gregory's encouragement to win converts to the faith and to step out of the comfort that he himself possesses, but also chastises Augustine when he is doing so many miracles that people praise him and not god. Finally Gregory mobilizes a power structure to secure Augustine's place in the religious society. This includes the sending of religious relics and manuscripts in order to show and endow Augustine and his church with authority, not only in the mission field but also as a sign to other religious officals in the surrounding areas. An example of this is the pallium.
This document displays the importance, not only of conversion but of the way in which it is done. Bede displays the way in which Augustine must not only be careful of the culture he is stepping into but also of the religious territory it is under. The way in which Gregory makes a way by inciting other religious elders to assist Augustine is a portrait of the political nature of the inner workings of the early church and the need for religious language to be both spiritual-giving all power to God while also being political-acknowledging the other religious authorities while ascerting ones own influence. One of the greatest things to notice in this text is the difference in the amount of physical space in which it talks about the kingship in comparison with the space that is concerned with the church's hierarchy. This document is a possesses an introductory look into the way the church dealt with power and conversion in the anglo world.