• Pelagianism
• Saints of the Times
• Celtic vs Roman Christianity
• Celtic Gods
• Druids
• Saxon Religion
• Arthur and Christianity

The Pelagian heresy had a special hold on the minds and imaginations of Briton Christians, as Pelagius was a Briton himself, though something of an expatriate. In 405 AD he was living well in Rome, writing and teaching.

Pelagius stressed freedom and moral responsibility, and denied Original Sin's hold on people's souls. His contemporary, Saint Augustine, argued vehemently against Pelagius' philosophy. Pelagius thought that while you can, in fact, overcome Original Sin, those that do sin are condemned for not being able to overcome the weakness of the will. In Augustine's philosophy, you can come back to the fold from sin, because no one expects you to be able to overcome Original Sin. This is because the will is weakened and fragmented by Original Sin. You can know what is good, but can't always do it.

In 418 C.E., Pelagianism was ruled heresy by Rome. Several times, over the course of the Arthurian period, the authorities in Rome sent missionaries into Briton to counter the heresy in Britain. Two bishiops, Germanus of Auxerre and Lupus of Troyes were sent in 429, C.E. There is an apocryphal story, recorded by Saint Gildas of the "Hallelujah Victory" related to their mission. (Germanus was leading an army agains the infidels (Picts and Saxons). Just before an important battle, he made a small chapel of boughs in a valley and baptised many of the soldiers. The opposing army entered the valley to do battle; Germanus' army shouted "Hallelujah!" loudly three times, and the enemy bolted.) Germanus returned again in 443 to Britain to drive out the Pelagian priests.

See also New Advent's Page on Pelagius

"Few saints were so unworldly as the Celtic saints; they indulged in self-denial, as in all else, to glorious excess." -- Joy Chant

In Celtic society, the ideal was greatness. Extreme generosity was prized; thrift and caution were not. Culturally, the Celts were enthusiastic, energetic, unstable, vain, proud, war-like and extreme. When Christianity came to Britain, asceticism was introduced to the culture. Like anything else, it was taken to the limit. The Dark Ages of Britain was the Age of Saints.

• Brigid (5th century) (also, Britt, Bride). She and her sister Maura were Scottish princesses from Northumbria, murdered at Balagny-sur-therain, Picardy, by pagan outlaws. The sisters were on their way home from a pilgrimage in Rome. Miracles were soon reported, and a cult grew.
• Dubricius (c. 545 C.E.). Born in Madly, Wales. He founded monasteries at Henllan and Moccas. Also known as Dyfrig, he spent the last years of his life at Ynys Enlli (Bardsey).
• Ibar (5th century). A missionary to Leinster and Meath; a disciple of St. Patricius.
• Illtyd (450-535 C.E.). The son of a Briton living in Letavia, Brittany. He came to Britain to visit his cousin c. 470, and married Trynihid. He served in the army of a Glamorgan chieftain. He became a monk under Dubricus, and later organized his disciples into Llantilltud Fawr Monastery in Glamorgan.
• Ninian. Born near Solway Firth. He was the son of a converted chieftain of Cumbrian Britons. He studied in Rome in the 390's, and returned to save the Britons. He built a church at Whithorn (Whitern) in Galloway, called Candida Casa (white house), made from white-washed stones. He brought masons from St. Martin's in Tours to complete this project. From this base, he journeyed as a missionary among the Picts,and was known for curing blindness. Died in 432.
• Patricius (St. Patrick). Born around 390 in Wales, was enslaved by Irish raiders at age 16. After 6 years of slavery, he escaped to Gaul, but returned to Ireland to evangelized the Irish, after taking the holy orders and studying a bit. In 432, with Germanus' backing, he went to Ireland. Since he knew the country and the language, he was the best candidate for the job. He made a good impression, and converted many people for about 30 years. There is a story about his encounter with a Druid, who advised his captors to kill him. The Druid foretold: "He shall free slaves, he shall raise up men of lowly kin." Which he did, for Christianity promises freedom and equality in heaven. Also known as Maun or Magonus.