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A wider story

Nearly two thousand years in one line of sight.

The eight lives belong to a much larger history. This timeline places their particular dramas among the missions, divisions, renewals and acts of witness that shaped Christianity in Britain.

First century – 597

Early Christianity

  1. Aristobulus

    Traditionally remembered as the first ‘Bishop of Britain’.

  2. Saint Alban

    Protomartyr of Britain.

  3. Saint David

    Patron of Wales.

  4. Saint Columba

    Champion of faith in Ireland and Scotland.

  5. Saint Augustine of Canterbury

    Leader of the Gregorian mission.

  6. Saint Ethelbert of Kent

    First English Christian king.

  7. Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne

    Apostle of Northumbria.

597–1170

Celtic Christianity and a golden age

  1. The Gregorian mission

    Augustine arrives in Kent.

  2. Synod of Whitby

    Celtic and Roman traditions meet.

  3. Saint Cuthbert

    Hermit and Bishop of Lindisfarne.

  4. Bede’s monastery is founded

    Benedict Biscop establishes Monkwearmouth.

  5. Saint Bede the Venerable

    Monk, scholar and Doctor of the Church.

  6. Our Lady at Walsingham

    The traditional date of the apparition.

  7. Saint Thomas Becket

    Archbishop and martyr.

1342–1679

Mysticism and Reformation

  1. Julian of Norwich

    Mystic, anchoress and writer.

  2. Saint John Fisher

    Bishop, scholar and martyr.

  3. Saint Thomas More

    Chancellor and martyr.

  4. Acts of Supremacy

    Henry VIII breaks with Rome.

  5. Fisher and More are executed

    Both die for refusing the royal supremacy.

  6. Dissolution of the monasteries

    Religious houses are suppressed across England.

  7. Saint Edmund Campion

    Scholar, Jesuit and martyr.

  8. The English College at Douai

    A seminary is founded for English Catholics.

  9. Venerable Mary Ward

    Foundress and pioneer of women’s education.

  10. The Gunpowder Plot

    A failed conspiracy deepens religious suspicion.

1792–1979

Revival and modern witness

  1. Blessed Dominic Barberi

    Passionist missionary to England.

  2. Roman Catholic Relief Act

    Catholics may again sit in Parliament.

  3. Newman’s reception

    Barberi receives John Henry Newman into the Catholic Church.

  4. Saint John Henry Newman

    Cardinal, theologian and writer.

  5. Gilbert Keith Chesterton

    Writer, apologist and prince of paradox.

  6. Mary Ward is recognised

    Pius X permits her sisters to call her their foundress.

  7. John Bradburne

    Poet, wanderer and servant of the people of Mutemwa.