History of the Britons
by Nennius
The History
36 to 38
36. After the Saxons had continued some time in the
island of Thanet, Vortigern promised to supply them with
clothing and provision, on condition they would engage to
fight against the enemies of his country. But the barbarians
having greatly increased in number, the Britons became
incapable of fulfilling their engagement; and when the
Saxons, according to the promise they had received, claimed
a supply of provisions and clothing, the Britons replied,
"Your number is increased; your assistance is now
unneccessary; you may, therefore, return home, for we can no
longer support you;" and hereupon they began to devise means
of breaking the peace between them.
37. But Hengist, in whom united craft and penetration,
perceiving he had to act with an ignorant king, and a
fluctuating people, incapable of opposing much resistance,
replied to Vortigern, "We are, indeed, few in number; but,
if you will give us leave, we will send to our country for
an additional number of forces, with whom we will fight for
you and your subjects." Vortigern assenting to this
proposal, messengers were despatched to Scythia, where
selecting a number of warlike troops, they returned with
sixteen vessels, bringing with them the beautiful daughter
of Hengist. And now the Saxon chief prepared an
entertainment, to which he invited the king, his officers,
and Ceretic, his interpreter, having previously enjoined his
daughter to serve them so profusely with wine and ale, that
they might soon become intoxicated. This plan succeeded; and
Vortigern, at the instigation of the devil, and enamoured
with the beauty of the damsel, demanded her, through the
medium of his interpreter, of the father, promising to give
for her whatever he should ask. Then Hengist, who had
already consulted with the elders who attended him of the
Oghgul1 race, demanded for his daughter the
province, called in English, Centland, in British, Ceint,
(Kent.) This cession was made without the knowledge of the
king, Guoyrancgonus,2 who then reigned in Kent,
and who experienced no inconsiderable share of grief, from
seeing his kingdom thus clandestinely, fraudulently, and
imprudently resigned to foreigners. Thus the maid was
delivered up to the king, who slept with her, and loved her
exceedingly.
38. Hengist, after this, said to Vortigern, "I will be to
you both a father and an adviser; despise not my counsels,
and you shall have no reason to fear being conquered by any
man or any nation whatever; for the people of my country are
strong, warlike, and robust: if you approve, I will send for
my son and his brother, both valiant men, who at my
invitation will fight against the Scots, and you can give
them the countries in the north, near the wall called
Gual."3 The incautious sovereign having assented
to this, Octa and Ebusa arrived with forty ships. In these
they sailed round the country of the Picts, laid waste the
Orkneys, and took possession of many regions, even to the
Pictish confines.4
But Hengist continued, by degrees, sending for ships from
his own country, so that some islands whence they came were
left without inhabitants; and whilst his people were
increasing in power and number, they came to the above-named
province of Kent.
Notes
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1
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V.R. Who had come with him from
the island of Oghgul, Oehgul (or Tingle), Angul.
According to Gunn, a small island in the duchy of
Sleswick in Denmark, now called Angel, of which
Flensburg is the metropolis. Hence the origin of
the Angles.
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2
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V.R. Gnoiram cono, Goiranegono,
Guiracgono. Malmesbury, Gorongi; Camden, Guorong,
supposed to mean governor, or viceroy.
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3
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Antoninus's wall.
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4
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Some MSS. add, "beyond the
Frenesic, Fresicum (or Fresic) sea," i.e. which is
between us and the Scotch. The sea between Scotland
and Ireland. Camden translates it "beyond the
Frith;" Langhorne says, "Solway Frith."
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History of the Britons
by Nennius
The History, 32 to
35 <<< Contents
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History, 39 to 42
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