Synod of Whitby
Overview
The Synod of Whitby, which took place in 664 CE, was a crucial event in the history of the early Christian church in England. This synod took place in the context of a significant cultural and religious divide in England. At the time, there were two main Christian traditions present in England: the Roman Christian tradition, which had been brought to England by missionaries from Rome, and the Celtic Christian tradition, which had been brought to England by missionaries from Ireland and Scotland. These two traditions had different practices and beliefs, and there was considerable disagreement between them.
Attendees
The two branches of the church were represented by Saint Colman of Lindisfarne, who was the leader of the Celtic church in Northumbria, and Saint Wilfrid, who was a bishop in the Roman church. The two sides presented their arguments to the synod, which was attended by many of the leading church figures of the time, as well as by King Oswiu and his court. Along with the king and his court, Bede writes that Abbess Hilda, Bishop Cedd, and a priest named Agatho were also in attendance.
The synod began with King Oswiu reminding all who were gathered that they all sought to be unified in the practice of their faith. After he finished, the council passed to St. Colman, and then to Wilfrid, to make their opening arguments for each of their respective traditions.
Map of Anglo-Saxon England, highlighting the location of Whitby
The Debate
One of the main issues that was debated at the Synod of Whitby was the calculation of the date of Easter. The Roman Christian tradition followed the calculations of the Roman church, while the Celtic Christian tradition followed a different calculation. This disagreement over the date of Easter had caused considerable confusion and conflict in England, and it was one of the main reasons why the synod was convened.
Another issue that was debated at the synod was the form of the tonsure, which is the haircut worn by monks. The Roman Christian tradition required the monks to shave the crown of their head and leave the fringe to resemble a crown of thorns. The Celtic Christian tradition had monks shave all their hair in the front, up to their ears, while leaving the hair longer in the back.
After much debate, the synod decided in favor of the Roman church. The decision was based on a number of factors, including the fact that the Roman church was more closely aligned with the practices of the rest of Europe, and that it had the support of the pope. During the final argument, Wilfrid spoke about the legacy of the Roman church and quoted the words of Jesus from Matthew 16. Bede writes:
“When Wilfrid had ended, the king said, ‘Is it true, Colman, that the Lord said these words to Peter? Colman answered, ‘It is true, O King.’ The king went on, ‘Have you anything to show that an equal authority was given to your Columba?’ Colman answered, ‘Nothing,’…Thereupon the king concluded, ‘Then I tell you since he is the doorkeeper I will not contradict him; but I intend to obey his commands in everything to best of my knowledge and ability, otherwise when I come to the gates of the kingdom of heaven, there may be no one to open them because the one who on your own showing holds the keys has turned his back on me.'”
It was on this key argument that King Oswiu supported the Roman church traditions. As Eddius Stephanus wrote in The Life of St. Wilfrid, “Wilfrid, by the eloquence of his oration, carried the day.” The king had spoken and all clergy present assented, but not without some distress. According to Bede, Colman went back to Ireland and brought with him all those who did not accept the Easter or tonsure traditions of the Roman church. There, they dicussed all that had taken place with their followers.
Impact
The decision of the Synod of Whitby had far-reaching consequences for the church in England. It led to the gradual adoption of Roman practices and traditions, helping establish a more unified church in the region. It also impacted the development of the English language, as the Roman church’s use of Latin became more widespread.
The Synod of Whitby is an important event in the history of Christianity in England, and is still remembered and celebrated by some today. It represents a key moment in the development of the English church, helping shape the course of religious and cultural history in the country for centuries to come.
Related Topics
Further Research & References
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/whitby-abbey/history-and-stories/history/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/tonsure
Adams, Max. The King in the North: The Life and Times of Oswald of Northumbria. London, UK: Head of Zues Ltd., 2020.
Bede. The Ecclesiastical History of the English People. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Deansley, Maragret. The Pre-Conquest Church in England. London, UK: Adam and Charles Black, 1963.
Higham, N.J. The Convert Kings: Power and Religious Affiliation in Early Anglo-Saxon England. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press, 1997.
Morris, Marc. The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England, 400-1066. New York, NY: Pegasus Books Ltd., 2021.