Editing Northumbria (section)

==Religion==
===Roman and post-Roman Britain===
Under [[Roman Britain|Roman]] rule, some [[Celtic Britons|Britons]] north of the [[Humber]] practised Christianity. York had a [[Archbishop of York|bishop]] as early as the fourth century.<ref>{{harvnb|Clutton-Brock|1899|p=6}}</ref> After the [[End of Roman rule in Britain|Romans left Britain]] in the early fifth century, Christianity did not disappear,<ref>{{harvnb|Corning|2006|p=65}}</ref> but it existed alongside Celtic paganism,<ref>{{harvnb|MacLean|1997|pp=88–89}}</ref> and possibly many other cults.<ref>{{harvnb|Fleming|2010|pp=132–133}}</ref> Anglo-Saxons brought their own Germanic pagan beliefs and practices when they settled there. At [[Yeavering]], in [[Bernicia]], excavations have uncovered evidence of a pagan shrine, animal sacrifice, and ritual burials.<ref>{{harvnb|Fleming|2010|p=102}}</ref>

=== Conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity ===
The first King of Northumbria to convert to Christianity was [[Edwin of Northumbria|King Edwin]]. He was baptized by [[Paulinus of York|Paulinus]] in 627.<ref>{{harvnb|Bede|2008|p=96}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, many of his people followed his conversion to the new religion, only to return to paganism when Edwin was killed in 633. Paulinus was [[Archbishop of York|Bishop of York]], but only for a year.<ref name="auto1">{{harvnb|Rollason|2003|p=207}}</ref>

The lasting conversion of Northumbria took place under the guidance of the Irish cleric [[Aidan of Lindisfarne|Aidan]]. He converted [[Oswald of Northumbria|King Oswald]] of Northumbria in 635, and then worked to convert the people of Northumbria.<ref>{{harvnb|Bede|2008|loc=III. 5}}</ref> King Oswald moved the bishopric from York to [[Lindisfarne]].<ref name="auto1"/>

===Monasteries and figures of note===
The monastery at [[Lindisfarne]] was founded by Aidan in 635, and based on the practices of the Columban monastery in Iona, Scotland.<ref>{{harvnb|Fleming|2010|p=156}}</ref> The location of the bishopric shifted to Lindisfarne, and it became the centre for religion in Northumbria. The bishopric would not leave Lindisfarne and shift back to its original location at York until 664.<ref name="auto1"/> Throughout the eighth century, Lindisfarne was associated with important figures. Aidan, the founder, [[Wilfrid]], a student, and [[Cuthbert]], a member of the order and a hermit, all became bishops and later Saints. Aidan assisted [[Hieu]] to found her double monastery at [[Hartlepool]].<ref>{{harvnb|Fleming|2010|p=171}}</ref> She too came to be venerated as a saint.<ref>{{harvnb|Butler|1866}}Volume IX 6 September</ref>

The Christianity culture of Northumbria was influenced by the continent as well as [[Ireland]]. In particular, Wilfrid travelled to [[Rome]] and abandoned the traditions of the [[Celtic church]] in favour of Roman practices. When he returned to [[England]], he became abbot of a new monastery at [[Ripon]] in 660. Wilfrid advocated acceptance of the authority of Rome at the [[Synod of Whitby]]. The two-halves of the double monastery [[Monkwearmouth–Jarrow]] were founded by the nobleman [[Benedict Biscop]] in 673 and 681. Biscop became the first abbot of the monastery, and travelled to Rome six times to buy books for the library.<ref name="Lapidge2006p35">{{harvnb|Lapidge|2006|p=35}}</ref> His successor, Abbot [[Ceolfrith]], continued to add to the library until by one estimate the library at Monkwearmouth–Jarrow had over two hundred volumes.<ref name="Lapidge2006p35"/> One who benefited from this library was Bede.<ref>{{harvnb|Bede|2008|pp=viii–ix}}</ref>

In the early seventh century in York, [[Paulinus of York|Paulinus]] founded a school and a minster but not a monastery. The School at York Minster is one of the oldest in England.<ref>{{harvnb|Leach|1915|pp=41}}</ref> By the late eighth century, the school had a noteworthy library, estimated at one hundred volumes.<ref>{{harvnb|Lapidge|2006|p=41}}</ref> [[Alcuin]] was a student and teacher at York before he left for the court of [[Charlemagne]] in 782.<ref>{{harvnb|Lapidge|2006|p=40}}</ref>

===Synod of Whitby===
{{main|Synod of Whitby}}
In 664, King [[Oswiu]] called the Synod of Whitby to determine whether to follow Roman or Irish customs. Since Northumbria was converted to Christianity by the Celtic clergy, the Celtic tradition for determining the date of [[Easter]] and Irish tonsure were supported by many, particularly by the Abbey of [[Lindisfarne]]. Roman Christianity was also represented in Northumbria, by [[Wilfrid]], Abbot of [[Ripon]].  By the year 620, both sides were associating the other's Easter observance with the Pelagian Heresy.<ref>{{harvnb|Corning|2006|p=114}}</ref> The King decided at Whitby that Roman practice would be adopted throughout Northumbria, thereby bringing Northumbria in line with Southern England and Western Europe.<ref name="auto2">{{harvnb|Bede|2008}} Book III chapter 25–26</ref> Members of the clergy who refused to conform, including the Celtic Bishop Colman of Lindisfarne, returned to Iona.<ref name="auto2"/> The episcopal seat of Northumbria transferred from Lindisfarne to York, which later became an [[Archbishop of York|archbishopric]] in 735.<ref name="auto3">{{harvnb|Rollason|2003|pp=239}}</ref>

===Impact of Scandinavian raiding, settlement and culture ===
The [[Lindisfarne#Vikings|Viking attack on Lindisfarne]] in 793 was the first of many raids on monasteries of Northumbria. The [[Lindisfarne Gospels]] survived, but monastic culture in Northumbria went into a period of decline in the early ninth century. Repeated Viking assaults on religious centres were one reason for the decrease in production of manuscripts and communal monastic culture.<ref>{{harvnb|Fleming|2010|p=318}}</ref>

After 867, Northumbria came under control of the Scandinavian forces, and there was an influx of Scandinavian immigrants.<ref>{{harvnb|Higham|1993|p=178}}</ref> Their religion was pagan and had a rich mythology.  Within the Kingdom of York, once the raids and war were over, there is no evidence that the presence of Scandinavian settlers interrupted Christian practice. It appears that they gradually adopted Christianity and blended their Scandinavian culture with their new religion. This can be seen in carved stone monuments and ring-headed crosses, such as the [[Gosforth Cross]].<ref>{{harvnb|Rollason|2003|pp=237–239}}</ref> During the ninth and tenth centuries, there was an increase in the number of [[parish church]]es, often including stone sculptures incorporating Scandinavian designs.<ref name="auto3"/>