# Augustine of Canterbury's mission (597)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/597-augustine-of-canterbury-s-mission
Location: Canterbury, Kent
Themes: Mission

Monks sent by Gregory the Great arrive in Kent and baptize King Æthelberht, founding the see of Canterbury. At this point in the timeline (597), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Gregory I "the Great" (3 September 590 – 12 March 604).

## Why it matters
Augustine of Canterbury's mission mattered because it carried Christianity to new peoples and regions, changing the map of world Christianity.

Pope at the time: [Pope Gregory I "the Great"](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-gregory-i-the-great)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Gregorian mission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorian_mission)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Augustine of Canterbury's mission](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Augustine+of+Canterbury%27s+mission)
- [Wikipedia — Age Of Councils (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_seven_ecumenical_councils)