Pagan Reaction and the Conversion of Aopwald

The podcast episode discusses the early Anglo-Saxon history and focuses on a period known as the Pagan Reaction. This reaction involved kings who opposed and reversed Christian policies, often resulting in the persecution of priests and the seizure of church lands. The case of Aopwald, son of Radwald, is highlighted as an example. Aopwald initially practiced both Christianity and Paganism but later converted to Christianity under the influence of King Edwin. However, shortly after his baptism, Aopwald was murdered by a pagan noble named Rick Bett, potentially due to political reasons as well. The killing of Aopwald marked the first recorded murder for Christianity in England.