Early Beginnings: Roman Britain (c. 43–410 AD)
Christianity is believed to have arrived in Britain during the Roman occupation, which began in 43 AD. The Roman Empire had already adopted Christianity as its official religion by the early 4th century under Emperor Constantine the Great, and with Roman rule extending to Britain, it is likely that Christian ideas began to spread to the island.
There is evidence that Christianity existed in Roman Britain during the 3rd and 4th centuries, particularly among the Roman military and some local elites. Archaeological findings, such as Christian inscriptions and symbols like the Chi-Rho, suggest that there were pockets of Christian communities within Roman Britain. However, the spread of Christianity was still limited, and it was not until the end of Roman rule in Britain, around 410 AD, that the religious landscape began to change significantly.
The Post-Roman Period and the Anglo-Saxons (5th–7th Centuries)
After the Romans withdrew from Britain in 410 AD, the island entered a period of political and social upheaval. The Anglo-Saxons, a group of tribes from present-day Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, began to migrate to Britain in the 5th century. These tribes brought their own pagan beliefs and established a series of kingdoms across England.
During this period, Christianity was virtually absent in much of England, with only a few remnants of Christian influence remaining in some regions. However, the spread of Christianity began to take shape again in the 6th century, primarily through missionary work from Ireland and Rome shutdown123