Mark Laynesmith
@marklaynesmith.bsky.social
Anglican priest diocese of Oxford, Academic Dean Lambeth Research Degrees in Theology, early medieval church historian
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...
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
doi.org
August 29, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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...
Reposted by Mark Laynesmith
www.positive.news/society/good... - more than half of the UK's electricity last year came from renewable energy sources.
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
August 4, 2025 at 8:46 PM
www.positive.news/society/good... - more than half of the UK's electricity last year came from renewable energy sources.
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...
August 3, 2025 at 8:47 AM
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...
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...
August 3, 2025 at 8:40 AM
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...
Time (aged 50) to let go of that 1990/1 History Boys vibe. My homemade A-level Tudor History ringbinder.
August 1, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Time (aged 50) to let go of that 1990/1 History Boys vibe. My homemade A-level Tudor History ringbinder.
Unfortunate sign wearage or sociopathic lorry driver...
August 1, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Unfortunate sign wearage or sociopathic lorry driver...
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...
August 1, 2025 at 8:42 AM
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...
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.
July 31, 2025 at 9:15 PM
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.