Orthodox Saxon England?

I recently knew that Saxon England wasn't aligned with the Papacy, and that Willian the Conqueror's conquest of England was favoured by the Papacy (William brought the papal banner, or something).

So, in a survival Saxon England, can we expect some kind of Orthodoxy to develop and eventually, would the english church align itself with Eastern Orthodoxy? I heard that there were some contacts between the two (Varangian Guard/Saxon mercenaries).

What impact would an Orthodox England have on the Scandinavian churches? Would they develop some less "Latin/Continental/Frankish-Germanic" ecclesiastical institutions?

Also, could someone recommend some books on Anglo Saxon England during the 700-1000 period?
 
So, in a survival Saxon England, can we expect some kind of Orthodoxy to develop and eventually, would the english church align itself with Eastern Orthodoxy?

No. The Church might support one ruler over another but that's very different than abandoning the Church in England. And if William failed, well then nothing changed from Rome's point of view. Harold might be annoyed but that's probably about it. And declaring the victory over the Normans a sign of God's desire for Harold to rule would probably shut up anybody in the Church arguing for William, especially since he's likely to be dead. Maybe Harold throws a few more lands the Church's way to gain some more favor.

The Pope is still the final religious authority over England no matter Saxon or Norman.
 
No. The Church might support one ruler over another but that's very different than abandoning the Church in England. And if William failed, well then nothing changed from Rome's point of view. Harold might be annoyed but that's probably about it. And declaring the victory over the Normans a sign of God's desire for Harold to rule would probably shut up anybody in the Church arguing for William, especially since he's likely to be dead. Maybe Harold throws a few more lands the Church's way to gain some more favor.

The Pope is still the final religious authority over England no matter Saxon or Norman.

So, to have an England closer to Byzantium than Rome, we need to have a stronger presence of Eastern Orthodox Christians among the newly converted pagans and, by extension, a stronger ERE which could be able to convert Scandinavia.

The question is if these Orthodox Vikings could be able to keep the english church isolated from the Continental one, but i find it unlikely. Maybe the Danelaw needs to be permanent.
 
I recently knew that Saxon England wasn't aligned with the Papacy, and that Willian the Conqueror's conquest of England was favoured by the Papacy (William brought the papal banner, or something).
Actually, that's most probably wrong : it appears only in latter chronicles and isn't mentioned in pontifical archives.
It's not, for exemple, shown in Bayeux Tapestry, even when it's basically Norman propaganda (such as Harold pledging alliegance to William, which should be at best nuanced, maybe seen as bluntly made-up)

For all that matter, Anglo-Saxon church was very well in the Roman Latin Christianity continuum (while it, of course, doesn't mean it was totally the same, as all Latin churches at this time)

a stronger ERE which could be able to convert Scandinavia.

Main problem is that even with a stronger ERE, Franks are still the closer important power from Scandinavia and the most likely to convert to Christianity Scandinavians (either in their French or German sucessors). For ERE being a likely rival, you'd need a Byzantine presence on Baltic which is fairly unlikely.

It's worth nothing that before the VIIIth/IXth centuries, Latin and Greek churches, while distinct, weren't really that divided. Blame monothelism on that (even if they were other factors).
 
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According to Wikipedia "the Christian Church in the British Isles was under papal authority from earliest times".

Well, since the Synod of Whitby, anyway.


I could see William faking up a papal banner, or at least Odo telling everyone that William had the Pope's support. If the Normans lose and several Norman prisoners swear they saw a letter signed by the Pope.... (Note: said prisoners would have seen a letter that they WERE TOLD was signed by the Pope or maybe even had his signature forged, and they weren't able to tell it was a forgery.)

I could see Harold denouncing Rome at that point. Since 'independent churches' don't exist at that point, I could see him turning to Constantinople. I could see Constantinople leaping on the chance to score points with Rome (the Schism is only, what, a dozen years ago?).

Low probability all round. And not terribly likely to last. (The Pope might well make England a very attractive offer to come back, for instance. And/or it might 'encourage' other 'proper Catholic' invaders.)
 
Well, since the Synod of Whitby, anyway.
Even before : Anglo-Saxon churches structures owes a lot to Frankish influence, and the Synod essentally formalized already existing relationship imposed over Britton churches more influenced by Irish monasticism.

I could see William faking up a papal banner, or at least Odo telling everyone that William had the Pope's support.
We don't even have that : except a chronicle from William's chapelain (written way later), there's nothing really prooving that it was a part of William's argument for the conquest.

I could see Harold denouncing Rome at that point.
That's simply not going to happen : Late Anglo-Saxon church was definitely well tied with Rome, would it be only because it enjoyed direct relationship with the pope since the Xth century; and while Anglo-Saxons kings enjoyed a domination over their national church, forcing their hand to Orthodoxy without any reason (and clearly without any real possibility from Byzantium) would have made another invasion but this time supported by Anglo-Saxon clergy likely

Since 'independent churches' don't exist at that point
I beg to differ : pontifical monarchism was still in infancy and largely stuck in Italy. While the great reforms of the Xth and XIth century largely gave pontifical power dominance in Western Europe, episcopal and monastic clergy was still importantly influenced by great feudateuries, that made these clergy eventually their own rather than Rome.

It's even more true for Anglo-Saxon clergy that was let a bit aside these great reforms, not having knewn the troubles such as Peace of God.

Late Anglo Saxon church was probably more independent than what you found on the continent, and would likely stand so in the immediate future.
 
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