<P> The Benedictine reform was led by St. Dunstan over the latter half of the 10th century . It sought to revive church piety by replacing secular canons - often under the direct influence of local landowners , and often their relatives - with celibate monks , answerable to the ecclesiastical hierarchy and ultimately to the Pope . This deeply split England , bringing it to the point of civil war , with the East Anglian nobility ( such as Athelstan Half - King , Byrhtnoth ) supporting Dunstan and the Wessex aristocracy ( Ordgar , Æthelmær the Stout ) supporting the secularists . These factions mobilsed around King Eadwig ( anti-Dunstan ) and his brother King Edgar ( pro ) . On the death of Edgar , his son Edward the Martyr was assassinated by the anti-Dunstan faction and their candidate , the young king Æthelred was placed on the throne . However this `` most terrible deed since the English came from over the sea '' provoked such a revulsion that the secularists climbed down , although Dunstan was effectively retired . </P>
<P> The Benedictine reform was led by St. Dunstan over the latter half of the 10th century . It sought to revive church piety by replacing secular canons - often under the direct influence of local landowners , and often their relatives - with celibate monks , answerable to the ecclesiastical hierarchy and ultimately to the Pope . This deeply split England , bringing it to the point of civil war , with the East Anglian nobility ( such as Athelstan Half - King , Byrhtnoth ) supporting Dunstan and the Wessex aristocracy ( Ordgar , Æthelmær the Stout ) supporting the secularists . These factions mobilsed around King Eadwig ( anti-Dunstan ) and his brother King Edgar ( pro ) . On the death of Edgar , his son Edward the Martyr was assassinated by the anti-Dunstan faction and their candidate , the young king Æthelred was placed on the throne . However this `` most terrible deed since the English came from over the sea '' provoked such a revulsion that the secularists climbed down , although Dunstan was effectively retired . </P>
who led a mission to convert anglo-saxons in england
who led a mission to convert anglo-saxons in england
St. Dunstan
St. Dunstan