Every monastery became a centre of light and of struggling culture for the surrounding district.

They were at once, to the early English recluse, universities and refuges, places of education, of retirement, and of peace, in the midst of a jarring and discordant world.
Hence, almost the first act of every newly-converted prince was to found a monastery in his dominions.

That of Canterbury dates from the arrival of Augustine.

In 643, Kenwealh of Wessex "bade timber the old minster at Winchester." In 654, shortly after the conversion of East Anglia, "Botulf began to build a monastery at Icanho," since called after his name Botulf's tun, or Boston.

In 657, Peada of Mercia and Oswiu of Northumbria "said that they would rear a monastery to the glory of Christ and the honour of St.Peter; and they did so, and gave it the name of Medeshamstede"; but it is now known as Peterborough.[1] [1] The charter is a late forgery, but there is no reason to doubt that it represents the correct tradition.
Before the battle of Winwidfield, Oswiu had vowed to build twelve minsters in his kingdom, and he redeemed his vow by founding six in Bernicia and six in Deira.