Christianization of Anglo-Saxon England The Christianisation of
Anglo-Saxon England was a process spanning the 7th century. It
is essentially the result of the Gregorian mission of 597, which
was joined by the efforts of the Hiberno-Scottish mission from
the 630s. From the 8th century, the Anglo-Saxon mission was in
turn instrumental in the conversion of the population of the
Frankish Empire. Æthelberht of Kent was the first king to accept
baptism, circa 601. He was followed by Rædwald of East Anglia
and Saebert of Essex in 604. However when Æthelberht and Saebert
of Essex died in 616 they were both succeeded by pagan sons who
were hostile to Christianity and drove the missionaries out,
encouraging their subjects to return to their native paganism.
Christianity only hung on with Rædwald, who was still worshiping
the pagan gods alongside Christ. The first Archbishops of
Canterbury during the first half of the 7th century were members
of the original Gregorian mission. The first native Saxon to be
consecrated a