Aethelbert of Kent was born in the mid 6th century, the son of Eormenric whom he succeeded as King of Kent. Probably at Queen Bertha's instigation, Pope (later Saint) Gregory the Great sent Augustine to convert the pagan Anglo Saxons of England. Augustine landed in Kent with a small group of fellow monks in 597. Aethelbert welcomed the missionaries, but initially declined to convert to Christianity, though he allowed Augustine and his fellow monks to preach freely and gave them land outside the city walls of Canterbury to build a church. He allowed his subjects to choose what religion to follow. After a little while (perhaps four years) and after many thousands of Kentish Angles, Saxons and Jutes had converted to Christianity, Aethelbert himself also converted - though unlike many converts he didn't insist that his subjects should follow suit, and allowed them to continue with their old religions if they wished. Such tolerance and fair-mindedness is rare enough these days. Aethelbert died on 24th February 616 and was interred in the Saxon minster of the Abbey of St Peter & St Paul that had been built outside the walls of ancient Canterbury which became St Augustine's Abbey. In this photo Aethelbert is seen stretching out his hand to greet his Queen, Bertha.

Ancient England

This image is available to purchase and is part of our Ancient England Stock Photos Collection.