Ethelbert, a pagan, was Kent's greatest king
& overlord of the Southern English Kimgdoms.
His queen, Bertha, a christian, was daughter
of Charibert king of Paris.
On 25th May AD 597 Augustine's mission landed
on Thanet off the Kent coast.
Here we imagine King Ethelbert greeting
Queen Bertha with this news as she returns
from worship at Saint Martin's Church.
Their marriage had opened Kent to this
Christian Mission, thus began the conversion
which drew the English into the mainstream
of European civilisation.
Kent's laws were recorded in written English
and Canterbury was established as the
enduring headquarters of the English church.