c. 550–616
Saint Æthelberht of Kent
Anglo-Saxon king of Kent, the first to embrace Christianity, who welcomed Augustine's mission from Rome.
Biography
Æthelberht was an Anglo-Saxon king of Kent, based in Canterbury, married to the Christian Bertha of Gaul. In his reign missionaries arrived from Rome led by the monk Augustine, whom he welcomed and helped in their work.
He himself was baptised a Christian and founded churches at Rochester and London, as well as the monastery of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Canterbury, later helping to bring Christianity to the East Saxons as well. He died in 616.