BOOK REVIEW : Augustine of Canterbury, Leadership, Mission and Legacy by Robin Mackintosh

Leading worship is always a great privilege whatever the time or day, but I was especially pleased to be asked to lead Night Prayer on the Patronal festival of my college. Whilst there is (usually) no sermon given during this service, I thought I should find out a bit about St Augustine of Canterbury, to do justice to the occasion.

There is much useful information on Eleanor Parker’s always fascinating blog which begins by turning to what The Venerable Bede has to say about Augustine and his mission. But I was delighted to come across this book, by Robin Mackintosh, an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral which Augustine founded in Canterbury, who uses archaeological research (including data on climate and agricultural practices) to help us more fully encounter Augustine and his band of monks on their trek from Rome to Kent than the few sentences in Bede allows.

Robin Mackintosh lays his cards on the table straight away, explaining that to his ear, Bede downplays Augustine and his abilities as a leader in favour of Pope Gregory, who sent him. Bede, he argues, portrays Augustine as an inexperienced leader, who turned back to Rome whilst in the south of what is now France, abandoning his first attempt at the mission after hearing stories of the barbaric practices of the Anglo-Saxons in Kent. Mackintosh uses the geographic reach of Pope Gregory’s surviving letters to speculate that his influence as Pope was limited in the north of the continent - suggesting that Augustine must have had significant gifts as a leader to successfully traverse the various Frankish kingdoms which were often only uneasily at peace. 

The book is divided into three sections. The first sets out the context for the mission and ends with an account of the first attempt. The second section covers the journey to Kent and the third and final part provides an account of the mission in England. 

We learn of the power struggles between Rome and Constantinople and between the Frankish bishops and Rome as well as the rivalry between the dynasties in control of Northern Europe.

It was particularly interesting to learn of the dual character of the legacy of Martin of Tours, whose relics generated a great pilgrimage following. Some chose to focus on his acts of supreme generosity, while others raised him up as the perfect soldier. Priests would carry fragments of what was said to be his cloak into battle. They became known as capellani from which the word chaplain derives. 

The Christian Queen of Kent, Bertha, had dedicated her private chapel to St Martin. Robin Mackintosh wonders whether Augustine spent much of the mission considering which aspect of St Martin’s legacy she most favoured - as this would undoubtedly affect the character of the mission and ultimately the nature of the growing faith in the country. 

It is these passages, where we are helped to see inside the mind of Augustine, that I found most fascinating. Throughout the text, Mackintosh draws on the latest archaeological research - both the discovery of artefacts and environmental archaeology, to paint evocative pictures of Augustine’s journey including their likely modes of transport, the climatic conditions and food they would have encountered en route. 

I particularly enjoyed the description of King Aethelberht’s reaction to Augustine’s arrival in Kent. Whilst his wife, Bertha, had requested the delegation, there was no way to forewarn the King of their arrival. Imagine having a papal envoy and a band of priests and dignitaries sent by nearby royal families turning up unannounced! I will never react to unexpected visitors in the same way again! 

Robin Mackintosh is upfront about the sources he uses and where he disagrees with these, as he paints a picture of the man who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury and whose legacy, he suggests, can not only be seen in the character of the Church of England today, but the character of the English themselves.


Links

My Start:Stop reflection on St Augustine
A video recording of compline on 26th May 2020