Write, Right, Rite

The literary works of the Anglo-Saxons was held only in their memories as making written records was learned after they were converted to Christianity. The Celtic inhabitants were Christians as were the Romans before them. The way of invasion for the Anglo-Saxons was not opened until the 5th Century when St. Augustine would be sent by Pope Gregory to King Ethelbert of Kent.The missionaries did their job and within 75 years Christianity had a strong foothold. King Ethelbert was one of the first Englishmen converted and it is indicative of the relationship between Christianity and writing that the first written specimen of the Old English language is a code of laws promulgated by the first Christian king.

(4th Century Arab dress)