Introduction of Christianity into the Early Medieval Insular World

Converting the Isles I

Edited by Roy Flechner Edited by Maire Ni Mhaonaigh

Book cover: Introduction of Christianity into the Early Medieval Insular World

Extent: 510 pages

Publisher: Brepols Publishers

Subjects: Medieval Studies, Religious Studies

Series: Cultural Encounters in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages

Series volume number: 19

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(November 2016)

ISBN: 9782503554624

Price: $182.00

In stock

The volume offers a cross disciplinary perspective on conversion to Christianity in the early middle ages in the Insular World, with contributions by leading historians, archaeologists, and literary scholars.


Conversion to Christianity is arguably the most revolutionary social and cultural change that Europe experienced throughout Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages. Christianisation affected all strata of society and transformed not only religious beliefs and practices, but also the nature of government, the priorities of the economy, the character of kinship, and gender relations. It is against this backdrop that an international array of leading medievalists gathered under the auspices of the Converting the Isles Research Network (funded by the Leverhulme Trust) to investigate social, economic, and cultural aspects of conversion in the early medieval Insular world, covering different parts of Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia, and Iceland. This is the first of two volumes showcasing research generated through the Network’s activities. This volume focuses on specific aspects of the introduction of Christianity into the early medieval Insular world, including the nature and degree of missionary activity involved, socio-economic stimulants for conversion, as well as the depiction and presentation of a Christian saint. Its companion volume has the transformation of landscape as its main theme. By adopting a broad comparative and cross-disciplinary approach that transcends national boundaries, the material presented here and in volume II offers novel perspectives on conversion that challenge existing historiographical narratives and draw on up-to-date archaeological and written evidence in order to shed light on central issues pertaining to the conversion of the Isles.

  • Edited by Roy Flechner
  • Edited by Maire Ni Mhaonaigh