[1] See six extracts from the “Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,” in E. K. Kendall’s “Source-Book of English History,” chaps. ii and iii; also William of Malmesbury’s “Conquered and Conquerors” (1066) and Matthew Paris’s “England in 1257,” in the same book, pp. 41 and 78.  See also Bogn’s “Six Old English Chronicles.”

47.  Influence of Christianity on Society.

But the power of Christianity for good was not confied to the monasteries; the priests took their part in it.  Unlike the monks, they were not bound by monastic rules, though they were forbidden to marry.  They lived in the world and worked for the world, and had an immense social influence.  The Church, as a rule, in all forms of its activity took the side of the weak, the suffering, and the oppressed.  Slavery was then the normal condition of a large class, but when the Church held slaves it protected them from ill usage.  It secured Sunday for them as a day of rest, and it often labored effectually for their emancipation.

48.  Political Influence of Christianity, 664.

More than this, Christianity had a powerful political influence.  A great synod or council was held at Whitby, on the coast of Yorkshire, 664, to decide when Easter should be observed.  Delegates to that meeting were sent from different parts of the country.  After a protracted discussion all the churches finally agreed to accept the Roman custom.  This important decision encouraged a spirit of true religious unity.  The bishops, monks, and priests who gathered at Whitby represented Saxon tribes which were often bitterly hostile to each other (S37), but their action on the Easter question united them in a certain way.  It made them feel that they had a common interest, that they were members of the same Church, and that, in that Church, they were laboring for the same object.  The fact that they bowed to one supreme spiritual authority had a political significance.  It suggested that the time might be coming when all the conflicting tribes or petty kingdoms in Britain would acknowledge the authority of one King, and form one English nation.

49.  Egbert becomes King of Wessex, and Overlord of the Whole Country, 829.

Somewhat more than a hundred and sixty years later a great step was taken toward the accomplishment of the political union of the different sections of Britain.  By the death of the King of Wessex (S37), Egbert, a descendant of Cerdic, the first chief and King of that country, succeeded to the crown.  He had spent some time in France at the court of Charlemagne and had seen that great ruler make himself master of most of western Europe.  Egbert was not content to remain simply King of Wessex.  He resolved to make himself master of the whole country.  He began a series of wars by which he, at length, compelled all the other Saxon Kings to acknowledge him as their Overlord.  That title marks the beginning, in 829, of a new period in the history of the island.