Mark Laynesmith

Why Did the Mission to the Anglo-Saxons Stall in 596: Anxiety, Politics or Money? | The Journal of Ecclesiastical History | Cambridge Core Why Did the Mission to the Anglo-Saxons Stall in 596: Anxiety, Politics or Money? - Volume 76 Issue 3

Excited to share open access my new article on the Gregorian mission to Kent and why it stalled (Augustine heads back to Rome a month after setting out). TLDR version: Bede was wrong about nerves; the bishop of Arles was sitting on the money Pope Gregory was hoping to use doi.org/10.1017/S002...

29.08.2025 14:39 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

What went right this week: the good news that matters The return of seahorses to British shores, a new era in Earth observation, jab free vaccines and a whole lot more good news

www.positive.news/society/good... - more than half of the UK's electricity last year came from renewable energy sources.

04.08.2025 20:46 — 👍 12    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

Screenshot of database of biblical commentaries on the Internet Archive

Need a Biblical commentary? A while back I scoured the amazing Internet Archive to compile a database of some of the better academic and homiletical commentaries. Here's the list docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

03.08.2025 08:47 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

Title page of first volume of the Acta Sanctorum, compilation of Medieval saints lives by calendar date.

For late antique and medieval scholars, those who haven't come across it: the amazing Links Galore - my go-to for tracking Latin sources especially saints' lives and patristics docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

03.08.2025 08:40 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

A4 ring binder with Ned's Atomic Dustbin stencil.

Time (aged 50) to let go of that 1990/1 History Boys vibe. My homemade A-level Tudor History ringbinder.

01.08.2025 10:28 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Worn lorry sign missing 'do not' from 'walk close to this vehicle'

Unfortunate sign wearage or sociopathic lorry driver...

01.08.2025 10:11 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

2/ Tyndale, as so often, cuts through the religious language and multi-syllabic words, replacing 'scandelise' to say it is because his fellows were just 'hurt' by Jesus the 'worker' preaching (i.e. put out!). Brings things down to earth the simply human interactions, rivalries and egos at play.

01.08.2025 08:45 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Icon of Jesus preaching in synagogue

A couple of psychological reflections on today's gospel (Mt 13:53-end): 1/ Jesus 'can't do many miracles' in Nazareth because people didn't have enough belief. I wonder if pre-emptive rationalism and false humility might hinder more liberal Christians from even praying for certain things...

01.08.2025 08:42 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Staff at University of Reading at the farewell celebration for outgoing Anglican Chaplain

First post on Bluesky marks my final day after 20 years as Anglican Chaplain to the University of Reading on behalf of Oxford Diocese. A wonderful time and very grateful for kind colleagues. Moving next to become vicar at St Nicolas church Earley @oxforddiocese.bsky.social.

31.07.2025 21:15 — 👍 5    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0