A window onto England's soul

SARAH FOOT has high praise for a book that traces the evolution of English Christianity over the course of 1400 years, through the lives of its greatest thinkers

- SARAH FOOT

Historians have long sought to connect the invention of the English as a people and nation with Christianity and with the use of the English language. They recognise the crucial role that the vernacular played as a means not only to preach the faith but to embed its principles into the very fabric of English society. No one has, however, attempted the task that Peter Ackroyd has set himself in this beautifully written reflection on the nation's faith.

Tracing the spirit and nature of English Christianity over 1400 years, Ackroyd defines the constant that underpins the national character as 'the English soul'. Accepting as fact that Christianity has been the anchoring and defining doctrine of England since the seventh century, Ackroyd acknowledges the important role played by other religions in shaping English society and refining its religious sensibilities. But this is unashamedly an account of Christian thought - or rather, of Christian thinkers.

Twenty-three chapters narrate the story of the Christian faith among the English from the time of the Venerable Bede to the end of the 20th century. Each chapter takes 'religion' to be a different idea or concept, and most are focused on named men or women, considered either individually or in small groups.