King Cynegils of Wessex converts to Christianity

Historical Context Note

Alice Hicklin (University of Cambridge)

Ed. by Richard William Dance, University of Cambridge
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.01: English Writing and Culture: Old English, 500-1066.
Vol. editors: Richard William Dance (University of Cambridge), Hugh Magennis (Queen's University Belfast)

Domains

Catholic

Dates

Date of occurrence 635

Places

England (Location)

Resources

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Cynegils was the first of the West Saxon kings to convert to Christianity, and received baptism from Bishop Birinus, a missionary sent to England by Pope Honorius. His conversion may also have been stimulated by an alliance with the Christian Northumbrian king Oswald, to whom he married his daughter.

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49 words

Citation: Hicklin, Alice. "King Cynegils of Wessex converts to Christianity". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 29 June 2016 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1923, accessed 18 April 2024.]

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