A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Bertha, daughter of Caribert, King of Paris
BERTHA.
Daughter of Caribert, King of Paris. She married Ethelbert, King of Kent, who succeeded to the throne about the year 660. Ethelbert was a pagan, but Bertha was a Christian, and in the marriage treaty had stipulated for the free exercise of her religion, and taken with her a French bishop. By her influence Christianity was introduced into England; for so exemplary in every respect were her life and conduct, that she inspired the king and his court with a high respect for her person, and the religion by which she was influenced. The Pope taking advantage of this, sent forty monks, among whom was St. Augustine, to preach the gospel. Under the protection of the queen they soon found means of communication with the king, who finally submitted to public baptism. Christianity proved the means of promoting knowledge and civilization in England; and this convert king enacted a body of laws which was the first written code promulgated by the northern conquerors. Thus was the influence of this pious Queen Bertha the means of redeeming England from paganism: and moreover to her belongs the glory of planting the first Christian Church in Canterbury, called the church of St. Martin; here she was buried: her epitaph, preserved by Leland, may be thus translated—"Adorned with virtues here lies the blessed Queen Bertha, who was in favour with God and greatly beloved by mankind."