<P> The Christianisation of Anglo - Saxon England was a process spanning the 7th century . It is essentially the result of the Gregorian mission of 597, which was joined by the efforts of the Hiberno - Scottish mission from the 630s . From the 8th century, the Anglo - Saxon mission was in turn instrumental in the conversion of the population of the Frankish Empire . </P> <P> Æthelberht of Kent was the first king to accept baptism, circa 601 . He was followed by Rædwald of East Anglia and Saebert of Essex in 604 . However, when Æthelberht and Saebert of Essex died in 616 they were both succeeded by pagan sons who were hostile to Christianity and drove the missionaries out, encouraging their subjects to return to their native paganism . Christianity only hung on with Rædwald, who was still worshiping the pagan gods alongside Christ . </P>

Who was sent to england to convert the pagan anglo-saxons to christianity