Æthelberht of Kent: England’s First Christian High King

Before the unification of England, Æthelberht of Kent stood as a powerful Anglo-Saxon ruler, esteemed as one of the earliest Bretwaldas, or overlords, of Britain. Reigning over Kent in the late 6th and early 7th centuries, Æthelberht emerged as a pivotal king of his era. His union with Bertha, a Christian princess from the Franks, paved the way for a significant milestone in English history: the arrival of Augustine’s mission from Rome in 597. Æthelberht’s conversion to Christianity marked Kent as the first major Christian realm among the Anglo-Saxons, laying the groundwork for England's Christianisation. Additionally, he authored one of the earliest recorded law codes in English history, highlighting the increasing authority and structure of Anglo-Saxon rule. This episode delves into the life of Æthelberht — the king of Kent, Bretwalda, lawgiver, and the leader who was instrumental in introducing Christianity to Anglo-Saxon England. Music by: Savfk - MusicThe Hunt by Savfk [CC-BY royalty free music - orchestral epic emotional]Listen here

#ÆthelberhtofKent #Bretwalda #Anglo-Saxon #Englandhistory #Christianisation #lawcodes See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/6a4404d643df7757fa89f661 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices