ABSTRACT
With the year 597, when Aethelbert of Kent had already enjoyed for some years a predominance over all the kingdoms south of Humber, while Aethelfrith, ruler of the united realm of Deira and Bernicia, was supreme north of that estuary, and begins the second period of Anglo-Saxon history. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records under the year 628 that Penda, King of Mercia, who was at this time one of Edwin's vassals, fought with the West Saxon kings, Cwichelm and Cynegils, at Cirencester, and came to a treaty with them after the battle. Nothing can be more striking in the narrative of the conversion of England than to note the toleration displayed to the emissaries of Christianity, even by those rulers who remained themselves impervious to its teaching. It is certain, however, that the period of his greatest activity and power was after his conversion to Christianity.
