Vortigern: Myth and Legend
Sources of information on what happened in Britannia during the 5th century provide tales that have lived on through the ages. These sources include De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae (On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain), written by the monk Gildas in the sixth century; Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum (Ecclesiastical History of the English People) authored by the historian Bede in the eighth century, Historia Brittonum (History of the Britons) composed by Nennius around 828; Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, created in the late 9th century during the reign of Alfred the Great (871-899); and Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain written around 1136. There is little archaeological evidence to support some accounts in these documents and it is hard to ascertain how much influence On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain had on sources that followed. While there is evidence that some leaders mentioned in these chronicles did exist, the stories about them may have been skewed over time. Still, they offer light on how immigrants may have entered and gained power in Britannia and why certain cultures thrived in specific geographical areas.
The accounts of the warlord Vortigren remain perfect examples of the historical fiction that existed in the Early Medieval Period. History remains unsure about Vortigern. His story begins with historical facts of the end of Roman rule in Britannia and the invitation of the Saxon mercenaries to replace Roman military support. It is then embellished with mythology and legend. This is typical of the Early Medieval Period. Geoffrey of Monmouth writes his version of Vortigern’s rise to power as follows.
After the death of Western Emperor Constantine III, who served as King of Britannia, there was indecision as to who would take the throne. Vortigern travelled to the monastery where Constantine’s eldest son Constanc II had lived from boyhood and had taken his monastic vows. He persuaded him to give up his vows and become the high king of Britain. This provided a protective cover of support and stability for Vortigern but once Celtic Britons stopped fighting each other and accepted Constanc’s leadership, Vortigern called on the Picts to assassinate Constanc. Once Constanc was no longer in charge, Vortigern declared himself high king.
To clarify, there is physical evidence of the existence of Constantine III, Constanc, and Voritgern. Then it gets a little blurry. For instance, during Vortigern’s life, the word ‘king’ was not used in Britannia, so he was probably referred to as a chieftain or leader. In addition, most scholars agree that this legend contradicts the history of Constanc based on archaeologic evidence.
Gildas and Bede continue the story of Vortigern. They tell us that Vortigern had no army and was under attack from the Scotti (who at that time came from what we now call Ireland), the Picts (from eastern and northeastern Scotland), and the Jutes coming from what are now Germany and Denmark). In 449, Vortigern invited Saxon mercenaries to Britain to fight against invaders. The Saxons were a group of early Germanic peoples from Saxony near the North Sea coast of northern Germania, now Germany.
A small group of Saxons arrived first, led by warlords Hengist and Horsa. They built forts along Britannia’s eastern coast and successfully fought off raids, even those from their kinsmen. To pay them for their efforts, the Saxon mercenaries were provided with grants of land. Bear in mind that the collapse of western economy was taking place at this time with the fall of the Roman Empire, so although Vortigern might have had lots of money, it may not have value. It would have been wise for the Saxons to demand land.
Vortigern gave the Saxons the territory we now know as Kent which became one of the seven kingdoms of the Heptarchy, which we will discuss a little later. Kent was a small kingdom on the southeast shore of Britannia. It was Vortigern’s hope that, as more of Hengist and Horsa’s countrymen joined them, that Celtic Britons and Saxons could work together.
Historia Brittonum continues the legend of Vortigern. He fell in love with and married Hengist’s daughter, the Saxon Rowena. After that interesting decision, his son Vortimer took up the battles to regain power from Hengist, Horsa, and the Saxons. Most Celtic Briton and Saxon leaders died fighting except Vortigern, who had stopped fighting after his marriage to Rowena; Vortimer, who was allegedly poisoned by his Saxon stepmother Rowena; and Hengist, the remaining Saxon leader, who called for a peace conference on Salisbury Plain.
Hengist never really considered peace but in an event known as ‘The Night of the Long Knives’ massacred three hundred elders of Vortigern when they gathered for the conference. Because he had (perhaps wisely after all) married Hengist’s daughter Rowena, Vortigern was spared his life but imprisoned until he gave the Saxons control of Kent. He did just that, and, once free, fled to Cambria (Cymru or what is now Wales) where he was allegedly burned in his tower by avenging Celtic Britons. Hengist and his Saxon army were defeated in battle by the Britons and Hengist’s head cut off some days later.
There may be lots of moral lessons to be learned in these tales, but there is no archaeological evidence that the warrior leaders Hengest and Horsa existed. What we do know is that Saxons did begin coming to Britannia as early as the 3rd century, that they settled there, and influenced the culture of the island. Inhabitants of what is now Germany were no strangers to sailing and coasted along the North Sea to Britannia. While it is a long journey, the water currents make it an easy one. Also, the North Sea is shallow and in the stormiest of weather it remains relatively calm. When the Romans left Britannia, those traveling from Germany by the North Sea were skilled migrants: farmers, craftsman, and fighters. In exchange for these skills, they acquired land along Britannia’s coast which was fertile and easy to farm. Some travelers quietly entered the island and farmed alongside Celtic Briton neighbors and some sought larger swaths of land and more power. Some enriched the island, some used its riches to empower themselves.
