| Summary |
Northumbria's domination of the seventh and eighth century Anglo-Saxon political scene provides an excellent example of the early medieval process of state development. Originating with the expansionistic dynasties of Deira and Bernicia, the greater kingdom grew through the accumulation of neighboring peoples by marriage, annexation and occasional warfare. In many cases, the conquered territories were incorporated with their governmental apparatus intact. While this allowed for political continuity, the new subkingdoms remained divided by the exclusive nature of pagan religion, reflecting as it did, the localized relationship between people, ruler and deity. As warlords were replaced by overlords, this crucial psychological bond was dissolved. Therefore, a new method of unification, one beyond military might, was needed if a secure kingdom was to exist. This work investigates the role religion played in the unification and creation of Northumbria. More specifically, it is argued that Christianity, as practiced by the Roman church, offered overlords particular advantages in strengthening kingship. It provided innovative replacements for native rites and institutions (such as the creation of fictive kinship bonds between separate peoples. thus breaking the innate isolationism of paganism) and parallelled the native approach to administration with its episcopal format. The Roman church also offered a more institutional approach to authority than the charismatic style of Celtic Christianity. The peculiar institution of monasteria gave further advantage as a counterpart to secular centers of administration. Not only did they add a sacred aura to strategic sites, both commercial and military, but they supplemented, and sometimes even replaced, their colleagues within the locales. When combined with the episcopal paradigm, control under such a system was complete since both political and religious patronage and authority were through complimentary channels. The trinity of people, ruler, deity which had been lost during expansion was also effectively reestablished, even though the religious role of the ruler was now shared with an archbishop. The arrangement forged a unique bond between the greater kingdom and the overlord: He became the sovereign of a new people, unified at the font and through a politicoreligious hierarchy of control. |
