RÆDWALD’s queen convinced her husband that Æthelfrith’s demands were intolerable. He took the fight to Æthelfrith, who was slain in battle in 616, and Edwin succeeded to the throne of Northumbria.

Now one of England’s great kings, Edwin sought the hand of Ethelberga, sister to Eadbald of Kent. Ethelberga’s family, however, was Christian, and she refused to marry a pagan. Her chaplain, Paulinus, and even Pope Boniface piled on the pressure. But Edwin wavered.

Edwin was still wavering when Paulinus paid him a visit. He rested his hand gently on Edwin’s head, and asked him whether the sign meant anything to him?

The memory of his bedchamber in Rædwald’s palace, and his promises of gratitude and obedience, came flooding back to Edwin. The mighty King sank trembling to his knees before Paulinus. He entrusted himself at last to Ethelberga and to Christ, and was baptized on 12th April 627, Easter Day, in the Church of St Peter in York.