Trees in the religions of early medieval england book description trees were of considerable importance in anglo saxon religion both christian and pre christian this book considers various ways in which trees featured in both and how they helped to mediate the transition between the two. This book is primarily about the religious significance of trees to pagans and christians in early anglo saxon england and the ways in which christian missionaries seem to have purposefully appropriated and exploited tree symbolism as a tool for enculturating new converts to their faith chapter 1 discusses trees as tools for religious integration as the sacred landscape of england changed from pagan to christian during the seventh century to what degree bintley asks did christian . Trees were of fundamental importance in anglo saxon material culture but they were also a powerful presence in anglo saxon religion before and after the introduction of christianity this book shows that they remained prominentin early english christianity and indeed that they may have played a crucial role in mediating the transition between ancient beliefs and the new faith it argues that certain characteristics of sacred trees in england can be determined from insular contexts alone . Trees in the religions of early medieval england by bintley michael dj anglo saxon studies 26 woodbridge the boydell press 2015 x 194 pp gbp50 isbn 978 1 84383 989 7 david rollason durham university search for more papers by this author david rollason durham university search for more papers by this author first trees were of fundamental importance in anglo saxon material culture but they were . Trees were of fundamental importance in anglo saxon material culture but they were also a powerful presence in anglo saxon religion before and after the introduction of christianity this book shows that they remained prominent in early english christianity and indeed that they may have played a crucial role in mediating the transition between ancient beliefs and the new faith it argues that certain characteristics of sacred trees in england can be determined from insular