Adrian of Canterbury (c.637-710)

St. Adrian of Canterbury, also Hadrian, was born in Africa; according to Bede, he was "by nation an African," and thus most likely a Berber in descent. He and his friend Theodore of Tarsus departed for England in 668 AD; as Adrian became the Abbot of St. Peter abbey in Canterbury, from 670, Theodore became Archbishop.

Together they unified the Anglo-Saxon churck discipline with that of Rome. Schools were founded in metrical art, astronomy and arithmatic, as well as rudimentary magic originating from prayer. Many of England's missionaries to France and Germany during the 8th century came from these schools, as this remarkable tradition continued, when foreigners would come to England to acquire wisdom and learning. However, by the late 9th century, the time of King Alfred, this golden age had passed.

Adrian died and was buried in St. Peter abbey; he came to be regarded as a saint. His feast day is January 9.