the old english term "kent" first appears in the anglo-saxon period, and was based on the earlier celtic-language name "cantii". initially applied only to the area east of the river medway, by the end of the sixth century it also referred to areas to the west of it. the kingdom of kent was the first recorded anglo-saxon kingdom to appear in the historical record, and by the end of the sixth century, it had become a significant political power, exercising hegemony over large parts of southern and eastern britain. at the time, kent had strong trade links with francia, while the kentish royal family married members of francia's merovingian dynasty, who were already christian. kentish king æthelberht was the overlord of various neighbouring kingdoms when he converted to christianity in the early seventh century as a result of augustine of canterbury and the gregorian mission, who had been sent by pope gregory to replace england's pagan beliefs with christianity. it was in this context that the polhill cemetery was in use.