CHAPTER II.
ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY--OF MONASTIC INSTITUTIONS--AND OF THEIR EFFECTS.
The marriage of Ethelbert to a Christian princess was, we have seen, a means of introducing Christianity into his dominions.

The same influence contributed to extend it in the other kingdoms of the Heptarchy, the sovereigns of which were generally converted by their wives.

Among the ancient nations of Germany, the female sex was possessed not only of its natural and common ascendant, but it was believed peculiarly sacred,[37] and favored with more frequent revelations of the Divine will; women were therefore heard with an uncommon attention in all deliberations, and particularly in those that regarded religion.

The Pagan superstition of the North furnished, in this instance, a principle which contributed to its own destruction.
In the change of religion, care was taken to render the transition from falsehood to truth as little violent as possible.

Though the first proselytes were kings, it does not appear that there was any persecution.