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The conversion of the English begins: Rome’s mission and the rise of Kent.

  1. Chapter 1
    On the death of Pope Gregory
  2. Chapter 2
    Augustine urges the British bishops to cement Catholic unity, and performs a miracle in their presence. Retribution follows their refusal [a.d. 603]
  3. Chapter 3
    Augustine consecrates Mellitus and Justus as bishops: his own death [a.d. 604]
  4. Chapter 4
    Laurence and his fellow-bishops urge the Irish to maintain the unity of the Church, particularly in the observance of Easter: Mellitus visits Rome [a.d. 605–10]
  5. Chapter 5
    At the deaths of Ethelbert and Sabert their successors revive idolatry: on this account, both Mellitus and Justus leave Britain [a.d. 616]
  6. Chapter 6
    Laurence is reproved by Saint Peter, and converts King Eadbald to Christ. Mellitus and Justus are recalled [a.d. 616]
  7. Chapter 7
    The prayers of Bishop Mellitus put out a fire in his city [a.d. 619]
  8. Chapter 8
    Pope Boniface [V] sends the pallium with a letter to Justus, Mellitus’ successor [a.d. 624]
  9. Chapter 9
    The reign of King Edwin: Paulinus comes to preach the Gospel to him, and first administers the Sacrament of Baptism to his daughter and others [a.d. 625]
  10. Chapter 10
    Pope Boniface writes to the king, urging him to accept the Faith
  11. Chapter 11
    The Pope writes to the Queen, urging her to exert her influence to obtain the king’s salvation
  12. Chapter 12
    King Edwin is moved to accept the Faith by a vision seen during his exile [a.d. 625]
  13. Chapter 13
    Edwin holds a council with his chief men about accepting the Faith of Christ. The high priest destroys his own altars [a.d. 627]
  14. Chapter 14
    Edwin and his people accept the Faith, and are baptized by Paulinus [a.d. 627]
  15. Chapter 15
    The Province of the East Angles accepts the Christian Faith [a.d. 627]
  16. Chapter 16
    Paulinus preaches the Word of God in the Province of Lindsey. The reign of King Edwin [a.d. 628]
  17. Chapter 17
    Pope Honorius sends a letter of encouragement to King Edwin, and the pallium to Paulinus [a.d. 634]
  18. Chapter 18
    On succeeding Justus in the See of Canterbury [a.d. 627–31], Honorius receives the pallium and a letter from Pope Honorius [a.d. 634]
  19. Chapter 19
    Pope Honorius [a.d. 634], and later Pope John [a.d. 640], writes to the Irish about Easter and the Pelagian heresy
  20. Chapter 20
    King Edwin is killed, and Paulinus returns to Kent, where he receives the Bishopric of Rochester [a.d. 633]