St Ethelbert of Kent (552-616) Image: St. Paul Street Evangelization
(New Advent) Ethelbert son of Eormenric, Great-Grandson of Hengist, Saxon conqueror of Britain according to SQPN — Raised a pagan worshiper of Odin, a German mythological god.
Ethelbert succeeded his father in 560 as King of Kent, and made an unsuccessful attempt to win rule of all of Britain from Ceawlin of Wessex at the battle of Wimbledon in 568
Married a Christian, Princess Bertha daughter of Charibert, King of the Franks, she brought her Chaplain Liudhard with her in marriage, restoring a Christian Church in Canterbury — Three children were born from their marriage, one of which was a daughter St. Ethelburgh of Kent (Feast Day: 08 September) founder of a Convent in Lyminge, entering it as a Nun and subsequently serving it as Abbess.
Ethelbert converted to Christianity and was baptized on Pentecost in 597 by St. Augustine of Canterbury (Feast Day: 27 May) Ethebert’s Christian example, led to the conversions and baptisms of as many as 10,000 of his countrymen within a few months.
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