 Bede records that Eadbald 's repudiation of Christianity was a " severe setback " to the growth of the church . Sæberht , the king of Essex , had become a Christian under Æthelberht 's influence , but on Sæberht 's death , at about the same time , his sons expelled Mellitus , the bishop of London . According to Bede , Eadbald was punished for his <unk> by " frequent fits of insanity " , and possession by an " evil spirit " ( perhaps referring to epileptic fits ) , but was eventually persuaded to abandon paganism and give up his wife . Eadbald 's second wife , Ymme , was a Frank , and it is possible that Kent 's strong connections with Francia were a factor in the King 's conversion . The missionaries in Canterbury seem to have had Frankish support . In the 620s , Eadbald 's sister Æthelburg came to Kent , but sent her children to the court of King Dagobert I in Francia ; in addition to the diplomatic connections , trade with the Franks was important to Kent . It is thought likely that Frankish pressure had been influential in persuading Æthelberht to become Christian , and Eadbald 's conversion and marriage to Ymme are likely to have been closely connected diplomatic decisions . 
