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From the 4th century CE, Christianity spread across Europe with the conversion of the
Roman Empire to the new religion. It was brought to Roman Britain by missionaries,
who set up monastery schools in remote areas. Through political and religious
manipulation, they converted many of the local tribal kings and steadily converted the
island to their faith.
During this period of expansion, Christian missionaries often came to an accommodation
with ancient ways, and incorporated the rituals of native pagan gods into their tradition.
As a result, many pagan stories, legends and saints were incorporated into Christian
mythology. St George and the Dragon, the Holy Grail quest and so on are all
transcriptions of Celtic and pre-Celtic legends.
Similarly, churches were built on sites of pagan importance - in England they can be
along ley lines, where ancient and seemingly Christian sites are linked (Glastonbury Tor
for example is surmounted by a chapel.)
Pagan festivals, both Briton and Roman, were also combined with Christianity to ease
the conversion process. The Roman Saturnalia and Celtic Yule, the Birth of Apollo and
the Festival of Mithra became our Midwinter festival of Christmas. Samhain became the
Eve of All Souls Day (Hallows' Eve or Halloween), the Spring Renewal festival (Ostara)
became Easter, and so on throughout the Pagan calendar.
The Burning Times
For a time fusion of old ways was tolerated. Some 'gods' and natural spirits were made
into saints that could be worshipped, whilst the Church consolidated its power.
Afterwards, those who worshipped the old ways were persecuted brutally, cast out to the
woods and secret places. "Hedge witches" were so called because they were taught
behind hedges, in secrecy away from prying eyes.
With most of Europe fully absorbed into 'Christendom', the Church was in a position to
begin to eradicate all outstanding traces of 'heathen' practices. Throughout Europe many
people still met secretly in wooded glades, or followed the old rituals to bless the crops
and encourage their return, only loosely covered up by a veil of Christianity - if at all.
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