- England was the first “clash” of Irish and Roman Christianity - Irish Christianity was coming down from Scotland and was centered around monasteries - the most important leaders were the abbots of monasteries (the bishops were under their authority)
- Roman Christianity was coming from the continent, especially Rome and France - it was centered around the churches in the towns and cities - the most important leaders were the bishops of the larger churches (abbots of monasteries were under the authority of the bishops)
- there were also disagreements about the right date for Easter and the proper kind of “tonsure” (haircut) for monks
- at the Synod of Whitby, both sides presented their arguments to King Oswy of Northumbria, who decided that Roman Christianity was the one that would be supported in England (mostly because Rome insisted Christ had given the keys of heaven to Peter and hence to the popes)
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