WITH the piecemeal conversion of the Germanic kingdoms a new influence becomes apparent in runic amulet texts. Old runic standards such as the charm words alu or laukaz begin to be usurped by recognisably Christian elements and features – especially, as we have already seen, in healing charms. The first Germanic groups to convert were the emigrant continental tribes, the Goths then the Franks, Burgundians and the Lombards. Irish missionaries then began the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons which was completed as a result of St Augustine's mission that emanated directly from Rome. Irishmonks again participated in the conversion of the Germans, as also did Englishmen like St Boniface, though the conversion of all the remaining continental tribes was not completed until the time of Charlemagne and his military defeat of the continental or ‘Old’ Saxons. The Scandinavians were last as the Christian faith finally spread to the northernmost reaches of Europe – the first signs of Christianity become evident in Denmark in about the ninth century when Christian symbols first begin appearing on rune-inscribed memorial stones.

Yet the conversion did not mean the overnight destruction of pagan culture. As is still often the case today, Christian conversion usually meant the retention of many local customs and cultural expressions. This in turn sometimes led to a syncretism of Christian belief and pre-Christian tradition. As long as this did not mean outright return to the worship of pagan gods, the retention of many of the old practices and traditions was usually tolerated by the Church.