The fourth was by Gurmundus, 1a pagan, king of the Africans, who joining with the Saxons, wrought much mischief against the Christians. In so much, that Theonus B. of London, §301and Thaodiceus, of York, with the rest of the people, did pack away, some into Cornwall, some into the mountains of Wales, an. 550. and remained till the time of Ethelbert 2king of Kent, §324an. 589. In whose reign, the faith was first received of the Englishmen,3 by means of Gregory, bishop of Rome, who in the year 598. sent Austen into England, and with him about xl. Preachers, to instruct and convert the people. The occasion was offered by seeing certain children of the land to be sold at Rome: where considering their beauty, he had compassion on them: & thereupon, when the Bishopric of Rome fell unto him, next after Pelagius, he sent Austen, with the other Preachers. Who passing on their journey, were greatly afraid, and discouraged, considering the barbarousness of the people. But being comforted by Gregory, and persuaded, they went on their journey, and came to the Isle of Tenet,4 on the Eastside of Kent. Near unto which landing place was the Palace of the K. not far from Sandwich, which the Inhabitants of the Isle then called Richburgh: whereof some part of the ruinous walls ⟨p. 71⟩is yet to see. The king that reigned at that time was Ethelbert the fifth king of that province, who at that time had married a Frenchwoman Christened, whose name was Berda, 5whom he had of that condition, that she should with her bishop Lebardus 6enjoy the faith. By means whereof he was the more flexible to embrace the preaching of the faith of Christ.
The fourth was by Gurmundus, 1a pagā, king of the Affricans, who ioyning with the Saxons, wrought much mischiefe against the Christians. In so much, that Theonus B. of London, §301and Thaodiceus, of Yorke, with the rest of the people, did pack away, some into Cornewall, some into the mountaines of Wales, an. 550. and remayned till the time of Ethelbert 2king of Kent, §324an. 589. In whose reigne, ye faith was first receiued of the Englishmen,3 by meanes of Gregorie, bishop of Rome, who in the yere 598. sent Austen into England, and with him about xl. Preachers, to instruct and conuert the people. The occasion was offered by séeing certain children of the land to be sold at Rome: where considering their beautie, he had compassion on them: & thereupon, when the Bishorick of Rome fell vnto him, next after Pelagius, he sent Austen, with the other Preachers. Who passing on their iourney, were greatly afraid, and discouraged, considering the barbarousnes of the people. But being comforted by Gregorie, and perswaded, they went on their iorney, and came to the Ile of Tenet,4 on the Eastside of Kent. Néere vnto which lāding place was the Palace of the K. not farre from Sandwich, which the Inhabitants of the Ile thē called Richburgh: whereof some part of the ruinous walles ⟨p. 71⟩is yet to sée. The king that raigned at that time was Ethelbert the fifth king of that prouince, who at that time had married a Frenchwoman Christened, whose name was Berda, 5whom hée had of that condition, that shée should with her bishop Lebardus 6inioy the faith. By meanes whereof he was the more flexible to embrace the preachyng of the faith of Christ.
- 1Gurmundus,
- 2Ethelbert.
- 3Gospel received of the Englishmen. Austen sent into England by Gregory, B. of Rome.Gospell receiued of the Englishmen. Austen sent into England by Gregory, B. of Rome.
- 4Isle of Tenet.Ile of Tenet.
- 5Berda.
- 6Lebardus.
