From the very earliest of times a Christian nation was being formed in England until it broke down in the face of modernity. That process formed not only the nation, but also the Christianity of the people. The creation of this Anglican nation was therefore the creation of an Anglican tradition of Christianity.

WALKING TOGETHER: THE IDEAL OF BEDE AND ITS INFLUENCE

After the departure of the Romans in ad 406, Anglo-Saxon Britain developed on its own terms for 200 years, and Christianity flourished in various ways. A second wave of Nordic invasions began at the opening of the ninth century. Alfred defeated the Danes at Ethendune in 878. Edward the Elder conquered the Danelaw and became the first king of all England. The following 150 years saw a second flourishing of the Anglo-Saxon civilisation and Christianity. The fateful year of 1066 saw the defeat of Harald Hardrada, king of Norway, by Harold, who had been made king of England, and then Harold's own defeat and death at the hands of William the Conqueror at Hastings.

Much of what we know of this period comes from Bede, especially his Ecclesiastical History of the English People. It is not surprising that we see on the pages of this account a view of the relations between royal power and spiritual authority, between king and bishop. The pre-eminent ideal is found in Bede's account of the life of Oswald told in close relationship with his account of Aidan.