Augustine of Canterbury (early 6th century – most likely 26 May 604) was a Christian monk who became the first archbishop of Canterbury in the year 597. He is considered the "Apostle to the English”.
Augustine was the
prior of a monastery in
Rome when Pope
Gregory the Great chose him in 595 to lead a mission, usually known as the
Gregorian mission, to Britain to
Christianize King
Æthelberht and his
Kingdom of Kent from
Anglo-Saxon paganism. Kent was likely chosen because Æthelberht
commanded major influence over
neighbouring Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in addition to his marriage to
Bertha, a
Frankish princess, who was expected to exert some influence over her husband. Before reaching Kent, the missionaries had considered turning back, but Gregory urged them on, and in 597, Augustine landed on the
Isle of Thanet and proceeded to Æthelberht's main town of
Canterbury. (
Full article...)
Attributes: -
Patronage: -
Augustine of Canterbury (early 6th century – most likely 26 May 604) was a Christian monk who became the first archbishop of Canterbury in the year 597. He is considered the "Apostle to the English”.
Augustine was the
prior of a monastery in
Rome when Pope
Gregory the Great chose him in 595 to lead a mission, usually known as the
Gregorian mission, to Britain to
Christianize King
Æthelberht and his
Kingdom of Kent from
Anglo-Saxon paganism. Kent was likely chosen because Æthelberht
commanded major influence over
neighbouring Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in addition to his marriage to
Bertha, a
Frankish princess, who was expected to exert some influence over her husband. Before reaching Kent, the missionaries had considered turning back, but Gregory urged them on, and in 597, Augustine landed on the
Isle of Thanet and proceeded to Æthelberht's main town of
Canterbury. (
Full article...)
Attributes: -
Patronage: -