Augustine of Canterbury was a monk at St Andrew’s monastery on the Celian Hill in Rome. He was sent by Pope Gregory the Great to preach the Gospel in England in 597. Landing in Thanet, Kent in 597, he baptised King Ethelbert and many of his subjects. He was chosen bishop of Canterbury. He founded a monastery and a cathedral at Canterbury, and established sees at Rochester and London. He died on 26 May 604.