Gregory had rightly determined to try by ritual and show to impress the barbarian mind.
AEthelberht, already predisposed to accept the Continental culture, and to assimilate his rude kingdom to the Roman model, met them in the open air at a solemn meeting; for he feared, says Baeda, to meet them within four walls, lest they should practice incantations upon him.

The foreign monks advanced in procession to the king's presence, chanting their litanies, and displaying a silver cross.

AEthelberht yielded almost at once.

He and all his court became Christians; and the people, as is usual amongst barbarous tribes, quickly conformed to the faith of their rulers.

AEthelberht gave the missionaries leave to build new churches, or to repair the old ones erected by the Welsh Christians.