St. Augustine was sent by the Pope in 597 AD to convert Britain to Christianity. He gained an audience with King Ethelbert of Kent, whose wife Queen Berta was already a Christian. Though resistant at first, the King was persuaded by Augustine's sincerity and allowed him to preach. Over time, the Church grew in authority and influence, establishing laws and institutions. In 800 AD, the Pope crowned Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor, unifying much of Europe under Christian rule and further establishing the authority of the Church.