Paulinus (20), the first Christian missionary from Rome to Northumbria, and the bishop who begins the recognized succession in the archiepiscopal see of York.
He was sent from Rome by Gregory in 601, with Mellitus, Justus, and Rufinianus. They joined Augustine in Kent, and would take an active part in evangelizing that kingdom.
In 625 Edwin, king of Northumbria, wished to marry Ethelburga, daughter of
Eadbald, king of Kent, who objected to a pagan son-in-law. A second embassy revealed Edwin's eagerness. He promised to allow the princess and her suite entire freedom in their religious worship, and even that he himself would adopt her faith, if his wise men should consider it right and just. Here was an opportunity for evangelizing Northumbria, and Eadbald sent his daughter. Paulinus accompanied the princess as her religious adviser, and, to add dignity and importance to his mission, Augustine consecrated him bishop before he set out, on July 21, 625.
At first, however, Paulinus found the king quiescent though respectful, and
that the people paid no attention; while his own little party was in danger from
the taint of heathenism. At the feast of Easter, 626, an attempt was made upon
Edwin's life. That act probably accelerated the birth of Ethelburga's first child, a daughter, and Paulinus thanked God for the preservation of his master and mistress with such fervour that Edwin, touched at last, promised to become a Christian if he could be avenged upon those who had sent forth the assassin, and, to shew he was in earnest, permitted Paulinus to baptize the new-born princess, with eleven courtiers who chose to accompany her to the font.
Edwin obtained his revenge, but loitered over the fulfilment of his promise. Paulinus reminded the hesitating monarch of what had taken place twelve years before at Redwald's court. He laid his hand upon Edwin's head, and asked him if he remembered that sign and his pledge. Now was the time for its fulfilment. Whether Paulinus was the stranger himself, or had gathered from the queen, or some courtier, that Edwin had seen and heard all this in a dream, is a matter of doubt. A national gathering took place at Goodmanham, near York, to consider the subject, and resulted in the king, court, and many of the people becoming Christians.
Northumbria was now opened to the missionary work of Paulinus, and his time
fully occupied. He made a convert of Blecca, the reeve of Lincoln, and through
his means a church was erected on the summit of its hill in which Paulinus consecrated archbp. Honorius in 627. He is said soon after to have founded Southwell minster, and his appearance was described to Beda as he stood in the river baptizing convert after convert in king Edwin's presence.
Mark him, of shoulders curved, and stature tall, Black hair, and vivid eyes, and meagre cheek.
At Donafeld, probably the modern Doncaster, amid the remains of the Roman
camp, there was a Christian basilica with a stone altar, which may be ascribed
to Paulinus. At Dewsbury was a stone cross with an inscription stating that
he preached there; whilst at Whalley in Lancashire and near Easingwold, close
to York, there were other crosses connected with his name. He is said to have
baptized very many at Brafferton and Catterick. In Bernicia a streamlet called
Pallinsburn in the N. of Northumberland retains the great preacher's name. He
is said to have been occupied in instructing and baptizing for 36 consecutive
days at Adgebrin or Yeavering. There would yet be very few churches, and these
at first chiefly baptisteries on river banks. There the catechumens were taught, and thence went down with their instructor into the water below.
