Apparently, He Thought He was Both.

One of my favorite magazines is National Geographic. I was flipping through some older ones that we have at home, (March 2005) and I read an article regarding the discovery of a 7th century, Saxon tomb in Essex, England, that could feasibly answer many questions for archaeologists involved with similar past 'digs' not so far away.

While I know little about the subject, other than what I read, I have a passing interest in archeology and history, so the article drew my attention.

The tomb had been so well preserved that archaeologists were even able to propone that the corpse that had been in there (he didn't make it, I'm afraid,) belonged to Saeberht, the second East Saxon king to convert to Christianity - however, only a piece of his tooth remained.

Interestingly, it seems that even in death, this royal couldn't decide whether to die as Pagan or Christian. Saeberht oscillated between Paganism and Christianity when it came to what he wanted buried with him.

There were indications of wealth and Paganism, such as French gold coins, copper alloy bowls, gaming pieces and a flagon, along side a Coptic bowl  (which is probably from the Byzantine Empire) and a silver spoon with a cross etched into it and several gold foil crosses sewn into what must have been his shroud, showing his Christian beliefs.

My immediate thought was that the Almighty is no idiot. He's not going to redeem someone who's only attempting to play it safe.

Anyway, my interest was piqued enough to do a little more research and see what more I could find out about this intriguing Pagan king, who was prepared to capaciously discard the ways of his countrymen and "believe [sometimes] in Christ."

There was only a couple of paragraphs there, but I did find out that Saeberht was baptized by Mellitus, the Bishop of London (who later became a saint,) and that Saeberht's sons returned to Paganism after his death.

The reason?  Because Mellitus refused to let them just taste the sacrificial bread.

I remember in high school, having learned about the Battle of Hastings which occurred in 1066. The Norman Duke, William of Normandy, (also known as "William the Conqueror,") arrived in England and successfully defeated Harold, the Earl of Wessex and ended the Saxon era for good. The Normans won and slowly invaded more and more of England.

I wonder what it would have been like today if the reverse were true.

With the Saxon people being a confederation of old Germanic tribes and the Normans being French, (and incidentally, descendants from the Vikings,) is it any wonder that there were so many hot, violent battles  fought over a piece of English land.

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