Ethelbert, who was born a pagan but whose wife Bertha was a Christian, was King of Kent and the regions round about. At the time that Saint Pope Gregory sent Saint Augustine to evangelize the English, Ethelbert received these missionaries with kindness, and in reward God gave him the grace of faith, whereat he was baptized on Pentecost in 597. Thenceforward he was changed into another man, and did much toward the spread of Christianity and the building of Churches and monasteries. Further, he was a lawgiver, and his, so for as is known, were the first written laws of England. In 616 he went to his great reward with God.
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O God, who didst bestow upon blessed King Ethelbert thy Confessor the crown of everlasting glory : grant us, we beseech thee, that we may in such wise honour him in this our life on earth, that we may be found worthy to reign with him in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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