present simple and past simple in one sentence

[ostap77]

"Augustine moves to England in 597 and takes up residence in Kent. Eventually he became first bishop of Canterbury." Can I start with the present simple and go on with the past simple? Does first bishop take the definite article?

[Rover_KE]

"Augustine moves to England in 597 and takes up residence in Kent. Eventually he became the first Bishop of Canterbury." Can I start with the present simple and go on with the past simple? Stylistically, it jars and should be avoided.

Does first bishop take the definite article? Yes.

Rover

[ostap77]

Rover

Suppose I was not delivering a lecture and was talking to my friends? Would it sound awkward?

[magdalena]

To me it would sound awkward. You should stick to one tense so tell the story either in the past or present - using present simple would make it more alive, add more action/interest to it.

[ostap77]

To me it would sound awkward. You should stick to one tense so tell the story either in the past or present - using present simple would make it more alive, add more action/interest to it.

Sentences that express the same idea or refer to the same person should either be in the present simple or the past simple.
"..........moves.......takes up residence....becomes..."

[Rover_KE]

Actually, he became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. (Wikipedia)

Rover