Editing Christianization (section)

=== Great Britain ===
{{Main|Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England|Christianisation of Scotland}}
Christianity likely reached Britain around 200 with archaeology indicating that it continued as a minority faith into fourth century.{{sfn|Thomas|1981|p=34}}{{sfn|Thomas|1997|p=506–507}} Thereafter, Irish missionaries led by Saint [[Columba]], based in [[Iona]] (from 563), converted many [[Picts]].{{sfn|Adomen of Iona|1995|pp=30–33}}

The [[Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England]] began in the late 6th century when the [[Gregorian mission]] was launched, leading to the conversion of [[Æthelberht of Kent]] around 600.{{sfn|Higham|Ryan|2013|p=124}}{{sfn|Kirby|2000|pp=35-37}}{{sfn|Higham|1997|pp=102-103}} After this, further kings converted such as [[Eadwine of Deira]] around 628 and [[Sigeberht the Good|Sigeberht of Essex]] around 653.{{sfn|Mayr-Harting|1991|pp=66-67}}{{sfn|Sellar|1907|loc=Book 3, chapter 22}}{{sfn|Higham|1997|p=238}} Although the [[Anglo-Saxon paganism|traditional religion]] often regained royal support after the conversion of the first king, Christianity did nonetheless become dominant in England, with the last heathen Anglo-Saxon king [[Arwald of Wihtwara]] being killed in battle in 686 and his two sons forcefully baptised and executed.{{sfn|Tyler|2007|pp=157-160}}{{sfn|Higham|Ryan|2013|pp=164-165}}{{sfn|Kirby|2000|pp=120-121}}{{sfn|Sellar|1907|loc=Book 4, chapter 16}} Closely related [[Old Nordic religion|Nordic forms of paganism]] were introduced by Scandinavian settlers during the 9th and 10th centuries. Christianity was likely adopted within several generations, with the last potentially heathen king to rule in England being [[Erik Bloodaxe]], who died in 954.{{sfn|Abrams|2000|p=139}}{{sfn|Abrams|2016|pp=32-41}}{{sfn|Pluskowski|2011|pp=772-773}} Suppression of paganism in England is first recorded as having taken place in the mid 7th century during the reign of [[Eorcenberht of Kent]] and continued into the 11th century, with law codes prescribing punishments such as fines, fasting and execution.{{sfn|Higham|Ryan|2013|p=159}}{{sfn|Sanmark|2004|pp=150-151}}{{sfn|Meaney|2004|pp=462-478}} Not all Germanic cultural elements were suppressed however, with many blending with Christian ones and some continuing in folklore into the [[modern period]].{{sfn|Jolly|1996|pp=7-11}}{{sfn|McKinnell|2021}}