Project Director

Resnick, Irven M.

Department Examiner

Welsh, Talia

Department

Dept. of Humanities

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

Though it remains unclear when Christianity was first introduced to England, it is certain Christianity was established by the early third century. It was not until the beginning of the seventh century, however, that Christianity flourished in Anglo-Saxon England, bringing with it a new understanding of the feminine role. Once enthralled by the coming of Jesus Christ, worshippers of the Virgin Mary idealized the Mother of God as the realization of the ideals of purity, humility, and passivity. They defined Saint Mary by her sinlessness, valuing her unbreakable virginity as a symbol of unparalleled strength, responsibility, and holiness. Mary herself was viewed by Anglo-Saxon society as the perfect representation of womanhood and motherhood, despite the conviction that she was conceived without sexual intercourse and would give birth as a virgin mother. This depiction of Mary valued the same characteristics among the women of Anglo-Saxon England. This positive representation of Mary, though strengthened by her relationship with Christ, held Anglo-Saxon women to a standard similar to Anglo-Saxon men.

Acknowledgments

Dr. Irven Resnick, Thesis Director Dr. Talia Welsh, Thesis Examiner Without the assistance and guidance of Dr. Irven Resnick and Dr. Talia Welsh, this thesis would not have reached its final form. As I have gained immense knowledge from the process of this project, I hope to have taught something to them, as well.

Degree

B. A.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Date

12-2022

Subject

Women in Christianity--History

Name

Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint--Devotion to--England

Location

England--Church history--449-1066

Keyword

Anglo-Saxon; Christianity; Virgin Mary; Caedmon's Hymn; Divine Comedy; Advent; femininity; England; religion; womanhood; motherhood

Discipline

Christianity

Document Type

Theses

Extent

42 leaves.

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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