Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Pelagius

In previous installments, I have described the “main characters” in Banish the Snakes: the historic people that players represent in their attempts to convert Ireland. But now I’m moving on to the “supporting cast” of historic characters, people who were notable in the history of the time and show up in the game on Event cards. The first article in this “supporting cast” series can be found here.

Pelagius had been dead for decades at the time that our game begins. He was born in Roman Britain, although he spent most of his life on the continent. But thanks to many who fervently believed his teachings, his influence on Great Britain lasted long after he was gone.

Pelagius was well educated, fluent in both Greek and Latin, and a learned theologian. He practiced asceticism and was referred to as a “monk” by his contemporaries, although there is no evidence that he was associated with any specific monastic order. He moved to Rome around 380 AD, and began teaching about his ascetic practices: severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence. He attracted a large following. Eventually, he developed a theological position which holds that “original sin” did not taint human nature, and that we have free will to achieve human perfection- without divine grace. This, in a nutshell, is Pelagianism.

As you could guess, his theology was condemned by church authorities. In a series of treatises and church synods, Augustine (later St. Augustine) strongly refuted Pelagius, asserting that human beings cannot attain righteousness by their own efforts; they are dependent upon the grace of God. Finally, in 418 AD, a church council declared him to be a heretic. A month later, Emperor Honorius banished his followers from Italy; later that same year, Pelagius was excommunicated. After this, nothing more is heard of him.

Yet, in Britain, his doctrine continued to smolder and find adherents. Several times between 429 AD and 445 AD, Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, was sent by the Pope to counter the Pelagian threat to orthodoxy. The Pelagians and the Catholic envoys from Gaul would publicly debate their case. The Venerable Bede (now known as “The Father of English HIstory”) writes that the Pelagians were conspicuous in their riches and brilliant dress. But, according to Bede, their doctrine was confounded by Germanus, who then led the newly baptized Britons in battle against the Saxons and Picts, defeating the startled enemy with shouts of “Alleluia!” This account does not, however, explain why Germanus had to return to Britain at least three times.

But why was Pelagianism so popular in Great Britain? The adoption of Pelagian theology differentiated the Britons from their Continental peers, which was especially important when connected with political independence. The Roman legions had left years ago (in 410 AD) and the Britons were asserting the independence that this allowed. Pelagianism was known as the “British heresy”. It would later resurface in the English emphasis on individual freedom, voluntary self help, and in the tenants of Methodism. Pelagianism was also an affirmation of the “hometown boy made good”.

In game terms, the Pelagian Heresy card advances paganism in Great Britain. The conflict between the church in Britain and the church in Rome drove a wedge between the two, making both weaker. Pelagius and Augustine represented two poles within Christianity, and the church was poorer for trying to suppress Pelagianism.

Previous Articles:

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Palladius

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Patrick

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Auxilius

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Ciarán

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Iserninus

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Secundinus

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Brigid

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Finnian

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Ibar

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Brendan

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Moninne