Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England
c. 653: Baptism of Sigeberht and growth of the Church under Cedd

Bede records that in 653, Sigeberht the Good was convinced by King Ōswīg of Northumbria to convert to Christianity and be baptised by Finan of Lindisfarne. He is recorded as having contrasted the gods of the traditional religion that he deemed only physical objects with the invisible Christian God that he saw as real and almighty, which ultimately convinced Sigeberht about the truth of Christianity; this was likely invented by Bede, however, and closely resembles his account of Pope Boniface 's speech to the heathen king Eadwine of Northumbria and likely draws on the Bible for inspiration. It has been suggested that the baptism was a condition of an alliance with Ōswīg against Penda of Mercia who threatened both Essex and Northumbria.
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