First Archbishop of Canterbury

"Strangers from Rome" was the announcement made to Ethelbert, King of Kent, as a Benedictine monk and forty friars approached his castle, chanting a benediction upon the ancient town of Canterbury (Kent-bury). The Romans left a halo of glory around their five hundred years' occupation of Britain, which even the Saxon conquerors recognized; so Augustine and his followers, sent by Gregory the Great to convert the Britons, had a welcome and a ready hearing. When Augustine told the story of the Cross to the heathen king, he replied: "I have no wish to desert the gods of my forefathers, but you are gentle of speech, you may preach your new religion to my people, and I will order that no man do you any harm."

This was not the first time the pagan King had heard of Christ, for he had married a Christian, Bertha, daughter of Clobert, King of Paris. In the marriage contract she had reserved the right of free exercise of her religion. She was made very happy by the sudden appearance of the Roman Missionaries. Ethelbert was easily converted, and with 10,000 of his people was baptized in the year 597. Rejoicing over the success of his enterprise, Pope Gregory sent the pallium to Augustine, proclaiming him Archbishop of Canterbury. King Ethelbert removed to another part of his kingdom, granting to these Benedictine monks the town of Canterbury, whose Archbisop is now the Primate of all England. The Canterbury Cathedral and buildings still occupy the land given to Augustine by King Ethelbert.