Religion in British Literature

By ljason
  • 597

    Augustine Missionary to Britain

    This mission from Augustine was the turning point for organized Christianity to take a hold even though it had been present as a religion since the first century AD.
  • Period: 700 to 750

    Beowulf published

    The exact publishing date of Beowulf is unknown but it is estimated to have been published sometime between 700 and 750 AD. This means that it was initially written with Saxon pagan religion as a foundation but as it as retold over many years Christian elements were introduced.
  • Oct 31, 1517

    The Reformation Begins

    The Protestant Reformation in Britain began when Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the church door in 1517. This marked the start of the separation of the protestants from the Catholic church.

  • The Seventeenth Century Begins

    This literary period began with England's colonizing of the Americas and included the English Civil war (1642-1651) and Oliver Cromwell's Reign. It ended with Parliament taking more power from the monarch.
  • Period: to

    The English Civil War

    This was a fight between Royalists and Parliamentarians which ended with a Parliamentarian victory.

  • End of the Reformation

    The Peace of Westphalia brought and end to the 30 Years War and marked the start of peace in Europe.

  • Paradise Lost Published

    Paradise Lost by John Milton was published in 1667. Paradise Lost is a vey Christian book down to its core plot about hell and Satan himself. This is very typical and atypical for the time period in the way that it incorporates religion but in unique way.

  • The Victorian Era Begins

    Queen Victoria took the throne in England marking the beginning of the Victorian Era

  • Wuthering Heights Published

    Emily Brontë published Wuthering Heights in 1847 under the name Ellis Bell. This book is widely considering "anti-christian" because of the way Christians are depicted as looking down on people in it. Upon further analysis this is not the case and the book is critical of the church not the religion itself.

  • The Victorian Era Ends

    Queen Victoria dies marking the end of the Victorian Era.