What were the impact and influence of Christianity in the Anglo-Saxon period?

The
strongest buildings in all of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were the churches. The mortar that tied
together the massive stones of these churches would be a perfectto what Christianity was to the
Anglo-Saxon period.  The Christian church acted as sort of a bonding agent to all of the
different Anglo-Saxon groups in England.  With no real national identity, people saw the church
as a unifying force.  This was especially true when the Vikings raided England.  The Vikings
were there to loot the exquisite wealth accumulated by the church in monasteries.   

Monasteries were great centers of learning, art, and culture in Anglo-Saxon England.
 It can be said that the church was responsible for educating the masses and teaching the
classical languages.  Abbesses governed over the monasteries and were given great influence and
prestige, making them some of the most powerful women in Europe.  

The church
played a secular role in society as well.  It was common practice to have high church officials
advising kings.  The bishops also managed large estates of lands and made them profitable.
 Anglo-Saxon England prospered because of the prosperity of the Christian monasteries and
church.  

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