Positively Medieval

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Jamie Blosser. Positively Medieval

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Positively Medieval

The Surprising, Dynamic, Heroic Church of the Middle Ages

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Augustine, encouraged by Gregory’s letter, returned to the work of God’s word, and arrived at Britain with nearly forty companions and Frankish interpreters. The mighty Ethelbert was at that time king of Kent…. They sent a message to him, indicating that they came from Rome and brought a joyful message of eternal life in heaven with God for anyone who was willing to listen to it. The king heard this and ordered them to stay put for a while until he could decide what to do about them. For he knew about the Christian religion, having a Christian wife from France named Bertha: she had been raised a Christian and married Ethelbert only on the condition that she could continue to practice [the Faith].

A few days later he came to them, inviting them to sit in his presence in the open air. (He was afraid to meet them indoors because of an ancient superstition that, if he did so, their magical powers might be able to overpower him. But they brought divine power, not magic.) They carried a silver cross for a banner, an image of our Lord and Savior painted on a board, singing a litany and praying to the Lord for the salvation of themselves and the English people.

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