Mellitus (d. 624)

Bishop of London and archbishop of Canterbury, sent to England by Pope Gregory the Great in 601. He was consecrated by St. Augustine before 604, and a church was built for him in London by Æthelberht, king of Kent; this church was dedicated to St. Paul, and Mellitus became first bishop of London. About ten years later the East Saxons reverted to heathenism and the bishop was driven from his see. He took refuge in Kent and then in Gaul, but soon returned to England, and in 619 became archbishop of Canterbury in succession to Laurentius. He died on the 24th of April 624.