Visigothic Kingdom (0568-0639), The Councils of Toledo. Christianisation of the Franks and of the Anglo-Saxon England.

Visigothic Kingdom (0568-0639), The Councils of Toledo.  Christianisation of the Franks and of  the Anglo-Saxon England.  https://linktr.ee/ravilagut © COPYRIGHT 20-04-2023 Rafael Alberto Vilagut - ravilagut@ymail.com CEO and founder of the 2nd Chance M2O Movement. Telegram/youtube @ralviv.  

 

Historians usually focus on one place and one time period, but I don't. That is why today I will tell you what was happening in Medieval Europe while the Prophet Muhammad was born in Saudi Arabia (Mecca, Hejaz, Arabia 0570 – Medina, Hejaz, Arabia, 8 June 0632).

 

In 0595, when Pope Gregory I decided to send a mission to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity, the Kingdom of Kent was ruled by Æthelberht. He had married a Christian princess named Bertha before 0588. Bertha was the daughter of Charibert I King of Paris, and one of the Merovingian kings of the Franks. As one of the conditions of her marriage she had brought a bishop named Liudhard with her to Kent as her chaplain. They restored a church in Canterbury that dated to Roman times, possibly the present-day St Martin's Church. 

 

Berthe de Kent's great grandfather is Clovis (The Great) King of Franks.  Christianization of the Franks was the process of converting the pagan Franks to Catholicism during the late 5th century and early 6th century. It was started by Clovis I, regulus of Tournai, with the insistence of his wife, Clotilde and Saint Remigius, the bishop of Reims.  

Clovis's wife Clotilde, a Burgundian princess, was a Catholic despite the Arianism that surrounded her at court. Her persistence eventually persuaded Clovis to convert to Catholicism, which he initially resisted. Clotilde had wanted her son to be baptized, but Clovis refused, so she had the child baptized without Clovis's knowledge. Shortly after his baptism, their son died, which further strengthened Clovis's resistance to conversion. Clotilde also had their second son baptized without her husband's permission, and this son became ill and nearly died after his baptism. Clovis eventually converted to Catholicism following the Battle of Tolbiac on Christmas Day 508 in a small church in the vicinity of the subsequent Abbey of Saint-Remi in Reims; a statue of his baptism by Saint Remigius can still be seen there. The details of this event have been passed down by Gregory of Tours, who recorded them many years later in the 6th century.

The king's Catholic baptism was of immense importance in the subsequent history of Western and Central Europe in general, for Clovis expanded his dominion over almost all of Gaul. Catholicism offered certain advantages to Clovis as he fought to distinguish his rule among many competing power centers in Western Europe. His conversion to the Roman Catholic form of Christianity served to set him apart from the other Germanic kings of his time, such as those of the Visigoths and the Vandals, who had converted from Germanic paganism to Arian Christianity. His embrace of the Roman Catholic faith may have also gained him the support of the Catholic Gallo-Roman aristocracy in his later campaign against the Visigoths, which drove them from southern Gaul in 0507 and resulted in a great many of his people converting to Catholicism as well.

 

Æthelberht King of Kent was at that time a pagan, but he allowed his wife freedom of worship. Liudhard does not appear to have made many converts among the Anglo-Saxons, and if not for the discovery of a gold coin bearing the inscription Leudardus Eps (Eps is an abbreviation of Episcopus, the Latin word for bishop) his existence may have been doubted. One of Bertha's biographers states that influenced by his wife, Æthelberht requested Pope Gregory to send missionaries. The historian Ian Wood feels that the initiative came from the Kentish court as well as the queen.

 

Kingdom of Wessex.
0603: Augustine of Canterbury begins preaching.
0635: Cynegils of Wessex and Cwichelm of Wessex are baptised.
0643: Cenwalh is crowned: Heathen resurgence.
0655: Cenwalh returns from exile, now baptized.
0676: Centwine is crowned, Heathen resurgence.
0685: Cædwalla is crowned, unbaptized but pro-Christian.

 

Eanflæd (19 April 0626 – after 0685, also known as Enfleda) was a Deiran princess, queen of Northumbria and later, the abbess of an influential Christian monastery in Whitby, England. She was the daughter of King Edwin of Northumbria and Æthelburg, who in turn was the daughter of King Æthelberht of Kent. In or shortly after 0642 Eanflæd became the second wife of King Oswiu of Northumbria. After Oswiu's death in 0670, she retired to Whitby Abbey, which had been founded by Hilda of Whitby. Eanflæd became the abbess around 0680 and remained there until her death. The monastery had strong association with members of the Northumbrian royal family and played an important role in the establishment of Roman Christianity in England. 

 

Kingdom of Northumbria.
0625: Paulinus begins preaching.

0626: Eanflæd is baptised.
0627: Edwin is baptised.
0633: Osric and Eanfrith of Bernicia are crowned: Heathen resurgence.
0634: Oswald is crowned.

 

Kingdom of Mercia.
0653: Preaching begins.
0655: Peada is crowned.

 

Kingdom of Sussex.

0675: Æthelwealh is baptised.

0681: Wilfrid begins preaching.

 

Kingdom of Isle of Wight.
0661: Wulfhere of Mercia invades, islanders forcibly baptized.
0661: Wulfhere of Mercia leaves, islanders immediately return to Heathenism.
0686: Cædwalla of Wessex invades, islanders ethnically cleansed and Kingdom annexed. 

On the other hand, Christianity in Spain has a long history: almost two thousand years, according to the legend that traces its origins to the evangelization of the Iberian Peninsula, in the same 1st century, by the Apostle James the Great (linked to the stories of the  and the miraculous transport of her corpse to Compostela), and by Saint Paul, whose trip to Hispania is unlikely, but whose express will to undertake it is at least clear.

 

Our Lady of the Pillar - October 12th.

In Spain the dynasty of the Baltingos extended between 0395 and 0531, when it was replaced by the Ostrogoth of Teudis. Alaric I sacked Rome in 0410 and founded a kingdom in Roman Gaul, which lasted for a century and spread to the Roman Iberian peninsula, where it lasted for around two centuries. i. Alaric I (0395–0410), ii. Ataúlfo (0410–0415), iii Walia (0415–0419), iv Teodorico I (0419–0451), v. Turismundo (0451-0453), vi. Theodoric II (0453–0466), vii. Euric (0466–0485), viii. Alaric II (0485–0507), ix. Gesaleic (0507–0511), x. Amalric (0507–0531).

 

Visigothic Hispania is the denomination of the historical period that covers the settlement of the Visigothic people in the Iberian Peninsula, between the mid-5th century and the beginning of the 8th century. The Visigoths did not control the entire Iberian Peninsula. In the northwestern part was the kingdom of the Suevi (0409-0585). The entire Cantabrian coast from the mountains to the sea, an area little Romanised, was dominated by Astures, Cantabrians and Vascones.  The History of the Kings of the Goths, Vandals and Swabians is the history of the Goths, between the years 0265 to 0624, written in Latin by Isidore of Seville.   

 

Visigothic Kingdom (0568-0639), The Councils of Toledo.

 

In the history of Christianity, the first seven ecumenical councils include the following: the First Council of Nicaea in 0325, the First Council of Constantinople in 0381, the Council of Ephesus in 0431, the Council of Chalcedon in 0451, the Second Council of Constantinople in 0553, the Third Council of Constantinople from 680–681 and finally, the Second Council of Nicaea in 0787. All of the seven councils were convened in modern-day Turkey. 

 

From the 5th century to the 7th century AD, about thirty synods, variously counted, were held at Toledo (Concilia toletana) in what would come to be part of Spain. The earliest, directed against Priscillianism, assembled in 0400. The "third" synod of 0589 marked the epoch-making conversion of King Reccared from Arianism to Orthodox Chalcedonian Christianity. The "fourth", in 0633, probably under the presidency of the noted Isidore of Seville, regulated many matters of discipline and decreed uniformity of liturgy throughout the kingdom. The Britonia of Galicia accepted the Latin liturgical rite. The "twelfth" council in 0681 assured to the archbishop of Toledo the primacy of Hispania (present Iberian Peninsula). As nearly one hundred early canons of Toledo found a place in the Decretum Gratiani, they exerted an important influence on the development of ecclesiastical law.

Liuvigild,  (c. 0519 – 0586) was a Visigothic King of Hispania and Septimania from 0568 to 0586. Known for his Codex Revisus or Code of Leovigild, a law allowing equal rights between the Visigothic and Hispano-Roman population, his kingdom covered modern Portugal and most of modern Spain down to Toledo. Liuvigild ranks among the greatest Visigothic kings of the Arian period.  In 0585, Liuvigild conquered the Suebi peoples, bringing an end to some forty-years of their independence in Spain. Despite several failed attempts by the Suebi to rebel against the Visigoths, Liuvigild eventually forced them to swear their fidelity. By the end of his reign, only the Basque lands and two small southern territories of the Byzantine Empire made up the non-Visigothic parts of Hispania. According to Gregory of Tours, Liuvigild fell ill in 586 and on his deathbed repented, wept for seven days and "embraced the Catholic faith" before he "gave up the ghost." He was succeeded by his second son Reccared, who converted to Catholic Christianity in 589 and brought religious and political unity between the Visigoths and their subjects.

 

Saint Leandro, Saint Fulgencio, Saint Florentina and Saint Isidore are known as the Four Saints of Cartagena and are considered saints by both the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. Saint Isidore of Seville Isidorus Hispalensis was born in 0605 in Seville. Saint Isidore died on April 4, 0636 in Seville; he was 31 years old. Parents. Severiano Severino Doge of Cartagena he was born in 0500. Severian married Theodora Amal of Ostrogothe she was born in 0505. They had the following children. i. Fulgencio of Cartagena bishop of Astigi or Écija (d 0630) ii. Florentina of Cartagena (d. 0612) iii. Severus of Cartagena (0520 - 0578) IV. Theodora or Theodosia of Cartagena Theodosia of Cartagena Queen Consort of the Visigoths (0525 - 0567) married Liuvigild (d.0586), v. San Leandro de Sevilla Bishop of Spalis (0534 - 0596), and vi. San Isidoro de Sevilla (0605 - 0636). Both in the city of Cartagena, and throughout the diocese of Cartagena, the four saints are the object of special devotion. The image of the four saints is in a prominent place on the main façade of the Cathedral of Murcia, seat of the diocese of Cartagena.

 

Gundemar was a Visigothic King of Hispania, Septimania and Galicia (0610–0612).  Gundemar continued a policy of amity with Clotaire II of Neustria and Theodobert II of Austrasia. To this end, he sent grand sums of money to support their cause against their relative (cousin and brother, respectively) Theuderic II of Burgundy. At other times, he pursued a hostile policy against Brunhilda.  According to Isidore of Seville, Gundemar made one expedition against the Basques, then besieged the Byzantines in the next. He died a natural death in Toledo, probably in February or March 0612. The Chronica Regum Visigotthorum records that Gundemar reigned for one year, ten months and 14 days. He was succeeded by Sisebut. Hildoara (6th-century – fl. 0610) was a Visigoth queen consort by marriage to king Gundemar (0610–0612).  She is described as a pious follower of the Nicene Christianity, a role model in her protection of the Nicene Priesthood and her mercy toward the poor, and as a beloved spouse by Gundemar, who took her advice not only in family issues but also in state affairs.  

 

Sisebut  (c. 0565 – February 0621) was King of the Visigoths and ruler of Hispania and Septimania from 0612 until his death.  He campaigned successfully against the remains of East Roman power in Spania, strengthened Visigothic control over the Basques and Cantabrians, developed friendly relations with the Lombards of Italy, and reinforced the fleet which had been established by his predecessor Leovigild.  Sisebut was known for his devout piety to Chalcedonian Christianity. In 0612, upon his accession to the throne, he forced his Jewish subjects to convert to Christianity. In 0616, he ordered that those Jews who refused to convert to Christianity be punished with the lash. He was closely associated and amicable with the scholar and encyclopaedist Isidore, bishop of Seville. He had a son, who succeeded him as Reccared II.  

 

Suintila (ca. 0588 – 0633/0635) was Visigothic King of Hispania, Septimania and Galicia from 0621 to 0631. He was a son of Reccared I and his wife Bado, and a brother of the general Geila. Under Suintila there was an unprecedented peace and unity across the Kingdom of the Visigoths. As a direct result, by 0624 the king was able to muster the forces necessary to retake those lands that had been under the control of the Eastern Roman Empire. 

 

The Councils of Toledo.

Sisenand  (c. 0605 – 12 March 0636) was a Visigothic King of Hispania, Septimania and Galicia from 0631 to 0636. Sisenand was the governor of Septimania, when the nobles revolted against the Visigothic king, Suintila, over the latter's confiscations of lands and distribution of privileges between the nobility and clergy. Sisenand joined the rebellion and overthrew Suintila with the aid of Dagobert I, King of the Franks, to whom Gothic nobles offered a plate of pure gold in return, weighing 500 pounds. The plate was allegedly a gift that Aetius, a Roman general, gave to Thorismund, then king of the Visigoths, in 0451. After successfully overthrowing Suintila and capturing Zaragoza on 26 March 0631, Sisenand proclaimed himself king. The victory of Sisenand also represented the triumph of the nobility over the common people, although the greatest beneficiary was the clergy, who took advantage of the weariness of the other contenders to enhance their own influence.  In order to obtain ecclesiastical conformity, on 8 December 0633, Sisenand convoked the Fourth Council of Toledo, which drew up civil and ecclesiastical laws within the Visigothic kingdom, including the death penalty, excommunication, and condemnation to perpetual perdition for those rebelling against the king. Similar penalties were approved for those who wished to dispense with such law of choice However, the council did not concede any hereditary right to the king; the next king would be elected by the bishops and magnates from one of their own.  Sisenand died a natural death in the city of Toledo on 12 March 0636. Chintila was chosen by the bishops to succeed him.  Chintila became king after his predecessor Sisenand died in 0636. It is unknown if or how he was related to Sisenand, and it is equally unclear how it came to be that Chintilla succeeded Sisenand. Both kings had tumultuous reigns, facing rebellions orchestrated by others who held some claim to the throne. Chintilla convened two Councils at Toledo, the Fifth Council of Toledo in 0636 and the Sixth Council of Toledo in 0638. The Sixth Council discussed topics such as church rules, the treatment of Jewish people in Chintila's kingdom, and even laws of the kingdom regarding citizens' rights and property law. The council also discussed, at length, the qualifications of kings. They decided, for example, that only a person of Visigothic noble descent could be king. 53 bishops, deacons, or other church representatives attended the Sixth Council of Toledo.  

 

Arabia Before Islam: Religion, Society, Culture.

Meanwhile, Muhammad (Mecca, Hejaz, Arabia 0570 – Medina, Hejaz, Arabia, 8 June 0632) was an Arab religious, social, and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Islamic doctrine, he was a prophet divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monotheistic teachings of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets. He is believed to be the Seal of the Prophets within Islam. Muhammad united Arabia into a single Muslim polity, with the Quran as well as his teachings and practices forming the basis of Islamic religious belief. 

  

 King Æthelberht & Kent's Golden Age 0560-0616, https://youtu.be/o7SmlFTNQD4.  Our Lady of the Pillar - October 12th,  https://youtu.be/_8hrq-jLnPg.  The Councils of Toledo, https://youtu.be/4M_l1qgdQPs.  Arabia Before Islam: Religion, Society, Culture DOCUMENTARY, https://youtu.be/07OsSSt0ytc.