A Brief Illustrated History of the Synod of Whitby

This is a Little Known Big History Film about the Synod of Whitby. Art and script by Anthony Wooding, Kerseys. Photography and production by Reg Moore. Original idea by Anthony Wooding.

This event occurred in 664 AD. At that time, King Oswy ruled the Kingdom of Northumbria. He had direct or indirect control over most of the country except Kent, and had even subdued some of Ireland and Scotland.

Oswy decided that he and his people were going to be Christians. He had then to make a choice between whether it was going to be the Roman Catholic or the Celtic Way.

He decided to call a synod of the two camps to decide the issue. It was to be hosted by Hilda, Abbess of Whitby in Yorkshire.

Each side chose its champions to go into debate:

In the Celtic Camp were the host Hilda, Bishop Colman of Lindisfarne and Cedd, Bishop of the East Saxons.

In the Roman Camp was Alchfrid, Oswy’s son Agilbert, Bishop of the West Saxons and Wilfrid, Abbot of Ripon.

Most of the talk was about a couple of things which don’t seem very relevant to us today. One was what was the exact date of Easter. The other one was the type of tonsure monks should have.

But it was also about some bigger political things. About whether England should adopt a local, natural and mystical path or a universal, Euro-focused and more authoritarian one. Oswy could see where the power was, and moved over to the Roman Camp, who thus won the day.

Before too long the whole of England followed the lead and moved to Roman Catholicism. Even one of the Celtic reps at Whitby, Bishop Cedd, eventually changed his mind and went the Roman way. And when the Normans came later, they were already Catholic, so no contest.