ABSTRACT
This chapter examines Randall Davidson’s archiepiscopacy during the First World War. The onset of total war required the Church of England to respond to the needs of a new mass army as well as ministering to the families left behind. The Church moved quickly to appoint chaplains to serve at the front line. Clergy at home devoted great effort to comforting the bereaved. Davidson was somewhat sceptical of those who suggested that the challenge of war provided an opportunity to launch a mission designed to bring the nation back to the Church. The Archbishop was also cautious about efforts to evoke divine sanction for Britain’s war effort. Whilst he was convinced that Britain’s cause was just, he also believed that all Christian nations were at fault in allowing themselves to be divided by war. Davidson was courageous, and not always popular, in refusing to follow uncritically the mood of popular patriotism.
