Christian Heroism and Holy War in Anglo-Saxon England.
Kent Gregory Hare
This dissertation examines the character and development of a Christian heroic ideal in Anglo-Saxon England between seventh eleventh centuries its manifestation through notions holy war. It provides valuable case study ongoing synthesis which occurred when Germanic peoples converted to Christianity. The mutual transformation wrought traditional warrior ethos faith values permeates literary sources for history, from early hagiographies Bede's Ecclesiastical History, later histories chronicles, unique corpus Old English poetry. As as first generation Christianization, combined both with an ascetic tradition within Christianity stressed spiritual warfare martial necessities confronting society violent world Middle Ages. Viking onslaughts ninth tenth centuries, portrayed religious terms by contemporaries conflict Christians pagans, served crystallize ideas heroism expressed Whereas previously these had centered around kings, innovations kingship during same period effect broadening ranks warriors include non-royal figures. evidence shows that distinctly cast usually associated age crusading fourteenth was beginning, century, fundamental conception their new faith.