601 - Definition and Overview

Events

• The future Archbishops of Canterbury, Mellitus, Justus, and Honorius, and the future Archbishop of York Paulinus, are sent to England by Pope Gregory I to aid Augustine in his missionary work.
• Livva II succeeds his brother Reccared as King of the Visigoths.
• The earliest dated English words are 'Town' and 'Priest', both recorded in the Laws of Ethelbert.
• The Qieyun, a Chinese character rhyme dictionary, is published.

Births

Deaths

• Saint David, Patron Saint of Wales.
• Reccared King of the Visigoths.