Bede: The Ecclesiastical History of the English People - Chapter 29

There are many converts and not enough bishops, "the harvest was great and the workers were few," so Pope Gregory sends more men (Mellitus, Justus, Paulinus and Rufinianus) and ecclesiastical objects, such as vessels, clothes, manuscripts and relics needed for the administration of the churches. In a separate letter, he sends Augustine a pallium of white wool to be worn on special occasions. The pallium signifies Augustine's status of archbishop and confers the power to ordain bishops.

Augustine is to ordain 12 bishops and will have authority over them. London, however, is an exception and has its own archbishopric. In addition, he is to ordain a bishop at York of his own choosing. Once enough people have converted, the bishop of York, will then become an archbishop who will ordain 12 bishops under him. Augustine will have authority over these men and all the bishops of Britain. After Augustine's death, the bishop of London will have no authority over York and the one consecrated first will be the senior of the two. Pope Gregory expects them to share authority and confer with one another.

Points noted:

• The bishops of London and East Saxony have special privileges. Could this be because they were established when the Romans occupied Britain?
• Pope Gregory must really trust Augustine to give him oversight of all the bishops in Britain. An ecclesiastical hierarchy is being created in Britain and Augustine is head of it.