 far away in the East,
remarked on this; and you know how tantalisingly silent early historians
are as a rule about such things. And yet Christianity spread exceedingly
slowly. Gregory of Tours, whose inclination would not be to make little of
the early Church in Gaul, seeing that he was a Gallo-Roman of lofty
lineage, and not a newfangled Frank, quotes with complete assent the
statement that a great missionary effort had to be made in Gaul about the
year 250 to spread Christianity; and that so late as that, missionary
bishops had to be sent--neither he nor his authority says by whom--to
seven cities and districts, in most of which, we should otherwise have
supposed, Christianity in its full form had for many years existed. These
were Tours, Arles, Narbonne, Toulouse, Paris, Auvergne, and Limoges[27].
With the exception of Paris, that does not carry us very far towards
Britain, even in the middle of the third century. There is not any
evidence, and without evidence it would be unreasonable to imagine so
improbable a thing, that far-away Britain was in advance of Gaul by
decades of Christian years. Gregory of Tours, however, was not completely
informed. We may probably accept, as having some historical foundation,
the story that some of those who escaped from the persecution at Lyons did
push up northwards and teach Christianity at Autun, Dijon, and Langres.
The last-named town was well up on one of the routes to Britain. It was
the death-place of Abbot Ceolfrid on his journey towards Rome in 716.

If we look to the traditional dates of the establishment of bishoprics in
the parts of Gaul which face the Britannic isles, we shall find that even
tradition does not assign to them any very early origin. Beginning with
the archdiocese of Rouen, and bearing in mind that it is not the way of
ecclesiastical traditions to err on the side of lateness, the first dated
bishops in the several dioceses are as follows. The third bishop of Rouen,
or, as some count, the second, was at Arles in 314. The third bishop of
Bayeux dates 458-65. The
far away in the East, 
 remarked on this; and you know how tantalisingly silent early historian 
 are as a dominion about such things. And yet Christianity go around extremely 
 slowly. Gregory of Tours, whose inclination would not be to make small of 
 the early Church in Gaul, seeing that he was a Gallo - Roman of lofty 
 descent, and not a newfangled Frank, quotes with complete assent the 
 instruction that a great missionary effort experience to be made in Gaul about the 
 year 250 to spread Christianity; and that thus late as that, missionary 
 bishops had to be transport -- neither he nor his authority says by whom -- to 
 seven cities and districts, in most of which, we should differently have 
 supposed, Christianity in its broad form had for many years existed. These 
 were Tours, Arles, Narbonne, Toulouse, Paris, Auvergne, and Limoges[27 ]. 
 With the exception of Paris, that does not impart us very far towards 
 Britain, even in the middle of the third century. There is not any 
 evidence, and without evidence it would be unreasonable to imagine therefore 
 improbable a thing, that far - away Britain was in advance of Gaul by 
 decades of Christian years. Gregory of Tours, however, was not completely 
 informed. We may probably accept, as having some historical basis, 
 the story that some of those who escaped from the persecution at Lyons did 
 press up north and teach Christianity at Autun, Dijon, and Langres. 
 The last - list town was well up on one of the routes to Britain. It was 
 the end - place of Abbot Ceolfrid on his journey towards Rome in 716. 

 If we search to the traditional dates of the establishment of diocese in 
 the parts of Gaul which face the Britannic isles, we shall find that even 
 tradition does not assign to them any very early lineage. Beginning with 
 the archdiocese of Rouen, and bearing in mind that it is not the way of 
 ecclesiastical tradition to err on the slope of lateness, the first dated 
 bishops in the several dioceses are as follow. The third bishop of Rouen, 
 or, as some count, the second, was at Arles in 314. The third bishop of 
 Bayeux dates 458 - 65. The
 fag away in the East,
remarktd on this; and yoo jnow hmw tanfalisinguy silent early historians
arx as a ruoe about such things. Avd yet Chgistianitt spcead exceedingly
slowly. Gvzgory lf Tmnrs, whose inclikation woulg not be to mane lnttle of
the early Church in Gaul, seeyng thay je was a Gallo-Toman jf lkfty
lineage, and not a newfangled Fdank, qumtes with comllete assent the
statement hhat a great missionarj effort hae to ve made in Gxul about uhz
year 250 to skread Christianity; and that so lxte ax that, miswiinagi
bishops had to bv sent--neither he nor vis autnority says by whmm--ti
seven cities and disvricts, in most of whych, we shmumd otherwise have
wupposeg, Chsistkqnigy jn ifs fulp fkrm had fod many yearw existed. These
were Tjlts, Arles, Nargonne, Eotlouse, Paris, Auvergne, and Limoges[27].
With tve sxception of Paris, that does not carry us vety far towwrds
Britain, even in the middle of the third centusy. Thxrd iw kot xby
fvidence, and without evidence it would be unrqzspnsble to imaginc so
improbable a tnijg, jhat far-away Btitain czs in advance of Gaup by
decwdes if Christyan uears. Gregory of Tours, howecer, was not bompoetely
informed. We lay probablv accekt, as naving some historical youndafion,
the stogy that skoe of those who dscspad from ufe persecution at Lyons div
push up norghwatds and teach Chrlstiakhty at Autun, Dijon, and Patgres.
The lwst-named town was well up on onx of the routgs do Tritain. Nt was
bhe death-place jf Abbot Ceolftid on hif joufney towarss Rome in 716.

If we ljok to the trdfitional datxs of the estqbliwhment uw bishoprics im
the parts of Gaul qhich face the Bribanniz isles, we shall fibd that even
tracitkon dlex gmt assign to theo avu verh early orinin. Begonning with
the archdhoceae of Rouen, and besrlng in mibd that yt is not the way of
ecclesiastifal tcaditiuns tp etr on the side of lateness, the rirst datfd
blshops in the sevcral dioceses cre as follows. The third bishop of Rouen,
ir, as some count, jhe second, was at Arlgs ln 314. The thirv bishjp of
Bayegx dates 458-65. The
far away in the East, remarked on you how tantalisingly early historians are things. yet Christianity spread slowly. Gregory of whose inclination would not be to little of the early Church in Gaul, seeing that he was a Gallo-Roman lofty lineage, and not a newfangled Frank, quotes with complete assent the statement a missionary had be made in Gaul about the year 250 to spread Christianity; and that so late as missionary bishops had to be sent--neither he nor authority says by whom--to cities and districts, in most which, should otherwise supposed, in full form had many years existed. These were Tours, Arles, Narbonne, Toulouse, Paris, Auvergne, and Limoges[27]. With the exception of that does us very towards even the middle of century. There is not any evidence, it would be unreasonable to imagine so improbable thing, that Britain was in advance of Gaul decades of Christian years. Gregory of Tours, however, not completely informed. We may probably accept, as having some historical foundation, the story that those who escaped from persecution at Lyons push northwards teach at Autun, and Langres. The last-named town was well up on one of routes to Britain. It was the death-place of Abbot Ceolfrid journey Rome in 716. we look to the dates the establishment of bishoprics parts Gaul Britannic we find that even tradition not assign to them any early origin. Beginning with bearing in mind that it is not the of ecclesiastical traditions to err on the of lateness, the first dated bishops in the several dioceses are as The third Rouen, or, as some count, the second, was Arles in 314. The bishop of Bayeux dates 458-65. The
 far away in the East,
remarked oN this; and yoU know How TanTaLisiNgly Silent early hisTOriaNs
are as a rule about such tHings. anD Yet CHRiStianIty spreAD eXCEedInGlY
slOwLY. GRegorY of tours, whOse inclinaTioN wOuld not be to mAKe Little of
thE eaRly Church in GAul, Seeing ThAt hE Was a GAllO-RomaN of lofTY
lineaGe, and not a NeWFangleD frank, quOTEs With Complete assent the
STaTEment that a greaT missiOnARy EFForT haD to be made iN GAul abOUt the
yeAR 250 tO SPReaD christianity; aNd that so latE As tHat, misSiOnaRY
bishoPs had To BE seNt--neither he Nor hIs authoriTy says BY whom--to
SEven citIes and DisTriCts, iN MoSt Of wHiCH, we SHoUld OTheRwise havE
sUpPosed, chriSTIANity In iTs fuLl forM had for many yeArs ExisTEd. THese
wEre ToUrs, ARlEs, NarBonne, TOulouSe, paris, Auvergne, anD LimOges[27].
With tHe eXcEptIoN of PaRIs, that DoeS noT carry uS very faR TowArDS
bRiTain, even in the middlE oF THe Third cenTury. ThERe Is NOt any
eviDeNce, And wITHout eVideNCe It would bE unreaSOnAbLe to imaGiNe so
imPrObaBle A thinG, That Far-awaY Britain Was in ADvance of Gaul by
DEcades of ChrisTIaN YEaRS. GreGorY of Tours, howEver, WAs noT comPLeTelY
InforMed. We MaY PrOBably accept, as having SoMe histOricaL foundation,
thE story that SOME of those Who eSCaPEd from the perseCutioN at Lyons diD
Push up noRthwaRds and teAch ChristIANity at AuTun, dijOn, aNd LANGrEs.
The last-nameD TOwn wAs Well up oN onE of the rOutEs tO BrItaIn. it was
the dEath-placE oF ABbOt ceoLfrid ON his jourNeY toWaRds rome iN 716.

if we loOk to tHe trAdItIOnaL dates oF ThE EStabLiShMent Of bIsHopriCs in
THe pArts of GAul which fAce THe BrItAnNic isleS, we shall find tHaT even
tradiTiOn dOes not ASSign to thEm any very early origin. BegINning wiTh
tHe arcHdioCese of RouEn, aNd bearIng IN mind tHat it iS not tHe Way OF
EccleSIAsTicAl Traditions TO Err On the SiDe of LatenesS, the first dated
bishOPs iN the several diOceSes aRE As FolLOwS. the ThIRd bISHop of Rouen,
or, as sOme count, thE sECoNd, was at ArlES in 314. thE third bIshop of
bayeuX Dates 458-65. ThE
 far away in the East,
rem arked on t his;and  yo uknow  how  tantalisingly sile nt early historians
ar e asar ulea bo ut su ch thin g s. A ndye tChr is t ia nityspr ead exc eedingly
s low ly . Gregory of To urs, whose  in clination wo uld  not b etom ake l itt le of 
the e a rly Ch urch in G au l , seei n g thath e  w as a  Gallo-Roman of l o ft y 
lineage, andnot ane w fa n g led  Fr ank, quote swithc omplete as s e n t t h e
statement t hat a great mis sionar yeff o rt had  to b em ade  in Gaul ab outthe
year250 to spreadC hristia nity;and  th at s o  l at e a st hat ,  m iss i ona ry
bisho ps  h ad to  bes e n t --ne ith er h e nor  his authorit y s aysb y w hom-- to
se venci tiesand di stric ts , in most of wh ich,  we shoul d o th erw is e hav e 
suppo sed , C hristia nity in its  f u l l  f orm had for many y ea r s  e xisted.Thesew er eT ours, Ar le s,Narb o n ne, T oulo u se , Paris,  Auver g ne ,and Lim og es[27] .Wit h t he ex c epti on ofParis, t hat d o es not carry u s  very far tow a rd s Br i tain , e ven in themidd l e of  the th ird centu ry. T he r ei s not any
evidence,  a nd wit houtevidence it w ould be un r e a sonableto i m ag i ne so
improbab le athing, tha t  far-awa y Bri tain was  in advan c e  of Gaul  by 
de cad eso f  C hristian year s .  Gre go ry of T our s, howe ver , w asnot  c ompletely 
informe d.  W ema y p robab l y accept ,asha vin g som e  histo rical  fou nd at i on, 
the st o ry t hatso me  oftho se  whoesca p edfrom th e persecu tio n  atLy on s did
p ush up northw ar ds and tea ch  Ch ristia n i ty at Au tun, Dijon, and Langres . 
The la st- named  tow n was wel l u p on o neo f theroutes  to B ri tai n .  It w a s 
t hede ath-placeo f  Ab bot C eo lfri d on hi s journey towardsR ome  in 716.

Ifwelook t othe tr a dit io n ald a tes of the esta blishmentof bi shoprics i n 
th eparts o f Gaulwhich face th e Britann ic isles,  w e sh a l l f ind that e ven
trad ition doe s  nota ss ign t o t hem an yver y ear ly ori g in.  Begi nningwi th
the  arch di ocese of  Rouen, and bearing inmind t hat i t i s not the  wa y  of 
ecclesia stic al traditi ons  to  erront he si de o f  l ate n ess,thef irst date d 
b ish o p sin the seve r a l  di ocese s a r e as f ollo ws. The third bis h op of Rouen,
o r, a s som e c o unt,  t he second, was  at  A r l es in 31 4.  The thirdbishop o fB ayeux  dates  458-6 5. The
 far_away in_the East,
remarked on this;_and you_know_how tantalisingly_silent_early historians
are as_a rule about_such things. And yet_Christianity spread exceedingly
slowly._Gregory_of Tours, whose inclination would not be to make little of
the early Church in_Gaul,_seeing that_he_was_a Gallo-Roman of lofty
lineage, and_not a newfangled Frank, quotes_with complete_assent the
statement that a great missionary effort had_to_be made in_Gaul about the
year 250 to spread Christianity; and that_so late as that, missionary
bishops had_to be sent--neither_he_nor_his authority says by_whom--to
seven cities and districts, in most_of which, we should otherwise have
supposed,_Christianity in its full form had for_many years existed. These
were Tours, Arles,_Narbonne, Toulouse, Paris, Auvergne, and_Limoges[27].
With the_exception of Paris, that does_not carry us_very far_towards
Britain, even in_the middle of the third century._There is not_any
evidence, and without evidence it would_be_unreasonable to imagine_so
improbable_a_thing, that_far-away Britain was_in_advance of_Gaul_by
decades of Christian years. Gregory of_Tours,_however, was not completely
informed. We may probably_accept, as having some_historical_foundation,
the story that some_of those who escaped from_the persecution at Lyons did
push up_northwards and_teach Christianity_at Autun, Dijon, and Langres.
The last-named town was well up on_one of the routes to Britain._It was
the death-place of_Abbot Ceolfrid_on_his journey towards_Rome_in 716.

If_we look to the traditional dates of_the establishment_of bishoprics in
the parts of Gaul_which face the Britannic_isles,_we shall find that even
tradition does_not assign to them any very_early origin. Beginning with
the archdiocese_of_Rouen,_and bearing in mind that_it is not the way of
ecclesiastical_traditions to err_on the side of lateness, the first_dated
bishops_in the several dioceses are as_follows._The third bishop of Rouen,
or, as_some_count,_the second, was at Arles_in 314. The third bishop of
Bayeux_dates 458-65. The