Paulinus of York

c.584-644. Monk and missionary. Probably a Benedictine at St. Andrew's Monastery in Rome, he was part of the second contingent of missionaries sent in 601 by Gregory the Great to assist Augustine in Britain. He worked in Kent, where he was consecrated bishop in 625, then traveled north as the chaplain of Ethelburga, the Christian wife of Edwin of Northumbria. His efforts were rewarded in 627 with the baptism of Edwin at York, where he established his see. His preaching and baptizing continued until Edwin was killed at the Battle of Hatfield (632). Paulinus administered the vacant bishopric at Rochester until his death. Since he deserted York before receiving the pope's pallium, it is disputed whether he was York's first archbishop.