Light to the Isles

In AD 597 St Augustine arrived at Canterbury to preach the gospel to the heathen English, and in 1997 the fourteen hundredth anniversary of his coming was celebrated by millions of English-speaking Christians around the world. The history of the evangelisation of England and of the Anglo-Saxons' subsequent missionary expeditions elsewhere is well known, but what has been lacking has been a study of the theological perspective of the early English Church. Now Douglas Dales has provided just such a work. Priest, historian and theologian, he is well equipped to explore the minds and deeds of the Anglo-Saxon missionaries. Topics covered include: Christianity in Roman Britain

The Celtic Church

The first generation of the Roman mission

The church in the north to AD 740 (School of York)

The church in the south to AD 740 (Synod of Cloveshoe/Whitby)

The Anglo-Saxon missions to Europe in the 8th century The introduction examines the sources for students of the period and the final chapter offers a theological retrospect. Specialists will find invaluable the book's able treatment of topics as diverse as ethnic migrations and doctrinal disputes. Both experts and general readers will enjoy the memorable accounts of such figures as Martin of Tours, Columba, and Gregory the Great, 'apostle of the English'. Read the Foreword here.

Read the Introduction here.