Saxon

Aurelius Ambrosius, Legendary King of the Britons

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This article was first publishe on #FolkloreThursday titled, “British Legends: Aurelius Ambrosius, Legendary King of the Britons,” by zteve t evans and has been edited and revised 20 June 2924 by zteve t evans. Images may vary from original.

Aurelius Ambrosius

Aurelius Ambrosius was a legendary fifth-century King of the Britons, mentioned in the pseudo-histories of Geoffrey of Monmouth and other medieval writers. He was reputed to be the uncle of King Arthur, who would become the most famous King of the Britons. Most accounts say Aurelius was a modest, evenhanded, and determined man who exercised self-discipline in all his ways. He was a skilled warrior fighting equally well on horseback or foot, an inspiring leader of men, and an outstanding military tactician and general. Aurelius harboured a burning hatred for King Vortigern, who had usurped the crown of the Britons from his family. Vortigern had then been betrayed by his Saxon allies, resulting in the deaths of many of the ruling Britons in a murderous incident known as the Treachery of the Long Knives.

With the Britons defeated and under Saxon tyranny, Aurelius Ambrosius and his brother Uther returned to free their country and reclaim the crown of the Britons of the island of Britain. Presented here and drawn from several sources listed below is the story of how Aurelius defeated Vortigern, and the Saxons led by Hengist to become King of the Britons, restore law, and order and begin rebuilding a wounded and shattered nation.

The Burning of Vortigern

While the Saxon takeover of Britain was unfolding, Aurelius Ambrosius was in exile, making a name for himself in the battles of Armorica, and his fame spread across Europe. Finally, after meticulous preparation, he arrived on the shores of Britain at Totnes with his younger brother Uther, commanding an impressive invasion force of Armorican cavalry and footmen. Word of Aurelius and his brother’s arrival spread rapidly across Britain and many Britons rallied to him. The few war leaders and nobles of the Britons left alive after the Treachery of the Long Knives had been scattered and leaderless but were now united under the banner of Aurelius burning for vengeance. They came together from all parts of Britain to join him and brought together the clergy who anointed him as the King of the Britons.

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The Britons wanted to attack Hengist immediately, but Aurelius overruled them, intending to wreak vengeance on Vortigern first and led the Britons to his last stronghold. He was joined by Eldol, the Duke of Gloucester, the only British noble of those present, apart from Vortigern, to survive the mass assassination.

Once his army had taken up their position, Aurelius commanded the powerful siege engines to set to work. Though these worked long and hard, they could not break through the walls. After all attempts failed, Aurelius gave the order to burn the tower. He ordered wood to be piled around it and set on fire while his archers shot burning arrows into the stronghold that found plenty of fuel. There was no escape for Vortigern in the tower of his last refuge, and along with his wives and followers, he perished in the flames.

The Return of Aurelius Ambrosius

The arrival of Aurelius Ambrosius to take the throne of the King of the Britons put fear into the hearts of Hengist and his Saxons, who were aware of his reputation. Being the rightful heir to the throne of Britain, Aurelius had right on his side, and Hengist knew this. He knew all about his prowess as a warrior and military strategist, and he feared him above all his enemies.

As Aurelius marched his army north, seeking to confront Hengist, the Saxon leader realised he had to fight. He urged his warriors not to fear Aurelius, telling them his Armorican cavalry was few while pointing out the Saxon superiority in numbers to the British. Having motivated his warriors, he set them in battle formation in a place he knew Aurelius and his army would have to pass through, hoping to catch them unprepared. Aurelius anticipated this and marched his men with more vigour to meet the Saxons and provoke open conflict. He gave each regiment their orders and would himself lead the Armorican cavalry into a frontal attack on the Saxon line.

For Eldol, the Duke of Gloucester, this was the moment he had been waiting for. Ever since the mass murder of the British nobility, he had been hoping to engage Hengist in single combat where there would only be one winner. The Britons had scores to settle. They were determined to avenge the wrongs done to their homeland by the Saxons, who were still a formidable and dangerous fighting force and drive them out of their country. The scene was set for a grim and bloody battle for supremacy, with the prize being control of the British island.

Hengist and the Saxons

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At last, the Britons and Saxons faced each other, and the battle began. Both sides committed themselves with undeniable bravery and ferocity. Aurelius Ambrosius motivated the Britons and Armoricans as Hengist urged on his Saxon warriors. As the battle raged, Eldol scoured the battlefield, hoping to engage with Hengist man-to-man, but with the fighting so fast and furious, he had no opportunity.

When Hengist realised his Saxons were being routed and the Britons and their allies had the advantage, he fled, heading for a town then called Kaerconan, now known as Conisbrough, with Aurelius Ambrosius hard on his heels. However, he resisted the temptation to use the town as a sanctuary, fearing he would be besieged and trapped and have no escape. Therefore, still having a formidable force of fighting men, he decided to make a stand outside the town, hoping to either defeat the Britons and their allies in open battle or break free.

The Britons were soon upon them, and a fierce and terrible fight began. Although the Britons fought ferociously, the Saxons would not give ground, and considerable numbers were killed or wounded on both sides. The screams of the injured and dying further enraged the men of both sides, and the Saxons began to gain the day. Seeing this, Aurelius sent the Armorican cavalry against the Saxons as he had done in the previous battle. Their arrival forced the Saxons back, splitting their ranks and preventing them from uniting their forces.

Realising their advantage, the Britons exerted themselves harder and with greater fury and vitality. Aurelius was always at the forefront of the battle, driving hard against the Saxons and forcing them to retreat before him. He killed all who stood in his way, and his example gave great encouragement and energy to the Britons who had long suffered from the Saxons.

The Vengeance of Eldol

Another Briton performing heroics on the field was Eldol, the Duke of Gloucester. He was always in the thickest and most furious part of the battle, bringing death and destruction to the Saxons wherever he went, but always seeking his arch-enemy, Hengist. As the battle raged, he engaged Hengist in a deadly duel, which he eventually won, taking his opponent alive to face the justice of Aurelius Ambrosius, the King of the Britons.

With Hengist captured alive, the Britons redoubled their efforts, driving hard against the Saxons, who, although dismayed at the loss of their great war leader, still fought on. Although the battle continued to ebb and flow, the loss of Hengist and his leadership began to be sorely felt, and the Saxons began to give ground.

The Britons relentlessly continued the assault, and despite their courage, the Saxons were forced to flee the battlefield. Some took to the woods, some to the hills, others made for the cities, while others tried to get to the harbours on the coast where their ships were anchored. Octa, son of Hengist, decided to make for the cities and led a strong contingent of Saxons to York. His kinsman, Eosa, led numerous Saxon survivors to another town, where he had a large bodyguard of men stationed.

With the battle won and Hengist captured, Aurelius rested his army and held a council of his leaders to decide what to do with their captives. Eldad, the Bishop of Gloucester, and his brother called for the execution of Hengist. The council agreed, and Aurelius gave the order. Eldol conducted the execution, decapitating Hengist, at last fulfilling his quest for vengeance. With Hengist dead, Aurelius marched his army to York, intending to confront and besiege Octa. On seeing the size of the army of the Britons, Octa doubted whether the city could withstand siege or direct attack. Seeing no other choice, Octa surrendered to Aurelius and begged for clemency.

Again, Aurelius held a council to decide the fate of the Saxons. Eldad again spoke up but, this time, called upon Aurelius to show mercy, which was granted. On hearing of the King’s mercy, Eosa came to Aurelius begging for clemency. Again, it was given, and a covenant was made. The Saxons were allowed to inhabit the lands that bordered what is now Scotland on condition that they obeyed the King of the Britons, lay down their arms, and lived in peace.

The Rebuilding of Britain

With his enemies defeated, the King of the Britons summoned all his lords, nobles, and clergy to York. He ordered the country’s rebuilding in the ways of the Britons and decreed that all churches destroyed or damaged by the Saxons should be restored. Moreover, he personally commissioned the restoration of York Cathedral and the other significant church buildings in the province.

After fifteen days, the work was underway, and he travelled to London to see what damage had been done there. As he travelled, he was sorry to see the destruction the Saxons had inflicted upon the country. He brought back the old laws and began re-ordering the country’s affairs. Lands taken by the Saxons were restored to their rightful owners, and the estates that no longer had living heirs he shared among his soldiers. In this way, the King soon had the restoration of his kingdom underway, and justice, peace, the rule of law, and justice were firmly established once again over the Britons.

He travelled to Winchester from London to see how the restorations were progressing along the way and in the city. Then he went to Kaercaradoc, now known as Salisbury, to the monastery of bishop Eldad, where Hengist massacred Britain’s leading nobles during the Treachery of the Long Knives and the place where the victims had been buried. The monastery was situated on the mythical mountain of Ambrius, named after its founder, and now maintained by three hundred monks. Aurelius was deeply affected by the burial ground and the memory it held and began to think about what kind of a monument should be built to honour the victims and perpetuate the memory of the Saxon treachery.

The Giant’s Dance

All his best artisans and craftsmen in wood and stone could not give him a satisfactory design for an appropriate monument of sufficient stature to match the need. At last, the Bishop of the City of the Legions proposed that he seek out Merlin, who had previously advised Vortigern concerning his failed attempt to build a stronghold on Dinas Emrys. Merlin had made the prophecy of the two dragons, the arrival of Aurelius and Uther and foretold the deaths of Vortigern and Hengist, and the Bishop insisted if anyone knew of a fitting monument, it would surely be him.

When Merlin arrived, he told the King of a stone circle in Ireland on Mount Killaraus, known as the Giant’s Dance, built by giants who had carried the massive stones from Africa. He foretold him that if they were transported from Ireland and erected at Ambrius precisely as they had been on Killaraus, they would stand forever and be a most fitting monument to the victims of the betrayal.

At first, Aurelius was skeptical, thinking that it would be impossible to uproot such great stones and move them across the sea, pointing out that similar building materials were more readily available in Britain. However, Merlin was adamant that only these stones would do as each had unique medicinal properties. Moreover, he asserted that he was the only one with the knowledge and art to move them and emphasised there could be no substitute for them.

Aurelius and all those present grew serious and discussed Merlin’s proposal. It was decided that Uther would lead an army of fifteen thousand men to procure the stones by any means. Merlin was to accompany Uther as his adviser and to direct the moving of the stones from the mythical Mount Killaraus in Ireland back across the sea to the island of Britain to be set up again at Ambrius around the graves of the fallen.

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Uther and Merlin embarked on their mission to Mount Killaraus to dismantle and bring back the Giant’s Dance from Ireland to Mount Ambrius. Gillomanius, the King of Ireland, hearing of the Britons’ arrival and their intention to take the monument, decided to defend it and fight Uther in a battle that the Britons won. Under Merlin’s supervision, the stones were dismantled and moved to the ships with incredible ease and transported across the sea to Britain. On their arrival, Merlin then supervised their removal and transport to the prepared site on Ambrius.

As soon as Aurelius heard of the return of Uther and Merlin with the Giant’s Dance, he sent messengers to all the nobles and clergy, summoning them to Ambrius to celebrate and consecrate the monument on the feast of the Pentecost. When all were assembled, King Aurelius Ambrosius placed the crown of the British Britons on the island of Britain upon his head for all to see.

With all royal ceremonies and magnificence, the celebrations of the feast of Pentecost began and continued over the next three days. He insisted his domestics and servants join them in the feast, rewarding them for their excellent service to him. After the feast, he set about administering Britain’s business, ensuring all was in order and law and justice prevailed. When all this business was concluded, he commanded Merlin to set up the Giant’s Dance around the graves of the dead. Using the same arts and means he had used to move the stones from Mount Killaraus, this was soon achieved, providing an enduring monument to the Britons who died in the Treachery of the Long Knives.

The Death of King Aurelius Ambrosius

Vortigern had a third son named Pascentius. With the victories of Aurelius over Hengist and Vortigern, Pascentius fled to Germany to try and raise new forces to avenge his father’s death. He promised vast amounts of silver and gold to anyone who would follow him in his attempt to invade and control Britain. Seeing vast riches to be gained, many accepted the challenge, and soon, he had under construction an impressive fleet of ships to carry a new army to attack Britain and avenge his father against Aurelius and Uther. Arriving in northern Britain, he immediately began destroying everything in his path.

On receiving news, Aurelius mobilised his army, and he met Pascentius in battle, defeating him and forcing him to flee for his life. Pascentius could not return to Germany after this disastrous defeat, so he set sail for Ireland, where he was received by King Gillomanius, who had no love for the Britons after the theft of the Giant’s Dance. The Irish King listened to Pascentius sympathetically, and the two joined forces against Aurelius. They mustered their forces and prepared a fleet to sail to Britain, landing at Menevia, now called Swansea.

It is a fact that disease and pestilence have no respect for kings or the mighty. It so happened that Aurelius had been taken ill and lay in his sickbed in Winchester. On hearing of the arrival of the enemy fleet, Uther, his younger brother, promptly mustered the King’s forces for the defense of the realm and marched to meet the invaders, taking with him Merlin to advise him.

Meanwhile, Pascentius and Gillomanius heard that King Aurelius Ambrosius was incapacitated in his sickbed and rejoiced, thinking this would aid their conquest. A Saxon named Eopa went to Pascentius with an evil proposal and asked him what reward he would receive for killing Aurelius Ambrosius. Pascentius told him he would reward him with one thousand pounds of silver, give him his lifelong friendship, and make him a commander in his army.

Eopa told him of his plan, explaining that he spoke and understood the language of the Britons and that he would disguise himself as a Christian monk of the Britons practising the healing arts. He would go to Winchester and seek to attend and cure Aurelius with a potion that was, in fact, a slow-acting poison that would eventually kill the King, giving Eopa time to escape. Pascentius was delighted, agreed to the plan, and struck a deal with him.

On arrival in Winchester, he immediately proclaimed himself a healer and physician, offering his services to the King, who gratefully received him in the hope of being cured. Eopa promised Aurelius that his potions would quickly restore his health, but he must strictly follow all instructions that he would give. Aurelius, in his innocence and desperation, readily assented and took a mixture Eopa had prepared that had been secretly laced with poison.

Obediently, Aurelius drank it, and then Eopa told him to cover himself and sleep. In this way, the poison coursed slowly but surely through the King’s veins, killing him in his sleep and giving Eopa plenty of time to escape before the death of the King was realised. When servants went to see the King, they found him dead and, on searching for his physician, found he had disappeared and could not be found.

Merlin’s Prophecy

Meanwhile, as Uther marched the army of the Britons to confront the invaders, a bright star appeared in the sky, shining day and night. From one of its rays burst a beam of light that took the shape of a fiery dragon, and two shafts of light burst forth from its mouth. Uther called on Merlin to explain this celestial phenomenon. Sadly, Merlin told him it signified the death of King Aurelius Ambrosius and foretold that he would defeat the enemy and succeed him as King of the Britons.

Merlin was to be proved right, and soon after the victory, a messenger arrived from Winchester telling of the King’s death and burial inside the Giant’s Dance, which seemed a fitting place for him to rest. His funeral had been conducted by the highest clergy and with all royal ceremonies.

Uther was made King of the Britons, took the name Uther Pendragon after the celestial spectacle, and would go on to fulfil Merlin’s prophecy. The rule of Aurelius Ambrosius had rid the Britons of the usurper Vortigern, who many saw as weak, corrupt, and foolish, blaming him for bringing over the Saxons who so violently betrayed him. With Vortigern dealt with, he removed the threat of the Saxons and subdued the Picts. He brought peace and stability and returned the country to the law of the Britons of the island of Britain.

© zteve t evans

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The Rule of Vortigern, Legendary King of the Britons

1) Vortigern meet Rowena by William Hamilton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This post was first published on #FolkloreThursday.com on 18th March, 2018, titled, British Legends: Treachery, Murder, Lust and Rowena – The Rule of Vortigern and revised and edited by zteve t evans and published here 28 June 2024, some images may differ from original..

Vortigern

Vortigern was a legendary 5th-century King of the Britons featured in the work of early British writers such as Gildas, Nennius, Bede, Geoffrey of Monmouth and others. There is a debate over whether Vortigern was a term for a High King chosen by a consensus to rule or whether it was the name of a person such as a warlord, lesser King, or political leader.

This work takes it as the name of a person of high status who, through his ruthless cunning and experience, took over the rule of the Britons during dangerous times. He is usually presented in a bad light as a man of immoral and selfish character who used duplicity and deception to rise to the top of the British establishment of his day. Vortigern is usually blamed for encouraging the arrival of the Saxon and Germanic invaders to Britain. At first, he employed them as mercenaries to support him and to fight against the Picts and Scots, but later, he found he could not control them. Some scholars say the ruling elite of the Britons may deserve at least an equal share of the blame through their weakness and disarray in facing their enemies. Moreover, as far as the realm’s defence was concerned, he did the best he could with the resources available to him, which had been seriously depleted by the actions of earlier rulers.

Yet, some early writers pose questions about his morality and behaviour. Indeed, acts of lust, intrigue, murder, duplicity, and betrayal are the hallmarks of his reign. This work presents a brief overview of Vortigern’s rule, looking at some of these alleged acts and incidents, some of which resonate through the ages and are the very stuff of legends.

Vortigern Takes the Crown

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Vortigern set up Constans, the eldest of the sons of King Constantine II, who had been assassinated, to rule the Britons because he knew he could control him and eventually replace him. After arranging for his murder, he usurped the crown to find that one day, a cleverer and more ruthless man would appear on the scene. That man was Hengist, the leader of the Saxons, Angles, and Jutes in Britain.

After the assassination of Constans by Pict mercenaries controlled by Vortigern, no one else was available of suitable status, experience, or age to take his place. The rightful heirs to the throne of the Briton were Aurelius Ambrosius and his younger brother Uther, who were the sons of King Constantine II and the younger brothers of Constans. Unfortunately, they were just children and deemed too young to take the throne. Vortigern was the most experienced political figure of the Britons at the time and very ambitious. Insidiously, he had wormed his way into becoming the chief advisor of Constans while all the time working secretly to promote personal ambitions and quietly gaining power, authority and the King’s trust.

With the murder of Constans that he carefully and covertly set up, he stepped forward and seized the crown for himself. Not all the British nobles were friends of Vortigern, and some of these, fearing for the safety of the two young heirs, sent them into exile to Armorica for their safekeeping. There, they grew up safely and were taught the arts of royalty and leadership while preparing to return one day and reclaim the crown of the Britons.

Having seized the throne, Vortigern would find ruling the kingdom far from easy. In the north, Picts and Scots made frequent raids into his realm, and he also feared another impending and growing threat.

As the years passed, he was aware of the exiled royal brothers’ maturing and coming of age. He received reports of the building of a vast fleet and the mustering of a great army, and his spies confirmed his fears that they were intent on taking back their rightful inheritance. Taking stock of the situation, he found he was desperately short of men at arms to defend the kingdom.

2) Hengist by John Speed, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Hengist and Horsa

While Aurelius and Uther had been growing up in Armorica, the kingdom of the Britons had faced many threats from the neighbouring Picts and Scots, who frequently raided the borders and made encroachments further into his kingdom. To deal with these invasions, he employed Saxon and other Germanic mercenaries to fight for him, and to begin with, this worked well. The Saxons, led by two brothers named Hengist and Horsa, were fierce warriors who defeated the Picts and Scots whenever they encountered them.

Hengist asked Vortigern for permission to bring more of his countrymen from Germany to help fight Britain’s enemies. Vortigern was pleased with the success of the Saxons and readily agreed. Therefore, Hengist brought in more warriors from Germany. Next, Hengist asked for a small portion of land to build a stronghold for him and his people. He only asked for a site that a leather thong made from a bull’s hide could encircle. Again, Vortigern granted his request. Taking a bull’s hide, he made a thin thong of sufficient length from the whole to completely encircle a site of his choosing. On this site, he built his stronghold known as Kaercorrei to the Britons and Thancastre, or Thong Castle to the Saxons. Hengist was quietly pleased with what had been granted and asked Vortigern for permission to bring in even more Saxon warriors, which Vortigern granted.

The Arrival of Rowena

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3) Rowena and Vortigern By William Hamilton [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

More ships from Germany arrived, and with them came someone whom Hengist had said nothing to Vortigern about. As well as men at arms, they brought the Saxon princess named Rowena, who was the daughter of Hengist. She was one of the most beautiful and desirable German princesses of the time, and her arrival would enthral and captivate Vortigern. She would become an important, though covert player, in Hengist’s creeping influence over the King of the Britons.

With the arrival of Rowena and the new contingent of German fighters, Hengist invited Vortigern to a lavish banquet at his newly constructed stronghold of Thong Castle. Vortigern was pleased to accept the invitation, and after being shown around the castle and welcoming the warriors into his service, he was given a banquet in his honour. The wine flowed freely, and towards the end of the evening, Rowena appeared from her bedchamber carrying a golden cup of wine. Curtseying to Vortigern, she said, “Lauerd king wacht heil!”

Vortigern was surprised, delighted, and captivated by the grace and beauty of the girl, and he became enamoured with her. Turning to his interpreter, he asked what she had said and what his response should be. His interpreter told him she had called him “Lord King” and offered to drink to his health. He must answer by saying, “Drinc heil!” Taking the cup from her, he kissed her and drained it.

According to Geoffrey, this was how the tradition of toasting became popular in Britain. A person drinks to the health of someone saying, “Wacht heil!” who answers, “Drinc heil!”

The arrival of Rowena was a critical moment in the destiny of the Britons. Aided by vast quantities of beer and wine and the charm and beauty of this young Saxon princess, Vortigern was well and truly captivated. It was said at that moment the devil entered him, and he wanted her for his wife. For Vortigern, as a Christian, marriage to a pagan would have been a severe taboo. The wily Hengist was aware of this and consulted with his brother Horsa and others of his wise men present. Unanimously, they advised that he marry Rowena to Vortigern and demand the British province of Kent because of her royal lineage. Vortigern agreed to this without consulting his wise men or nobles. Furthermore, he gave Kent to Hengist without the knowledge or consent of Gorangan, the British noble who had ruled there. Although it may be said that Rowena was given to Vortigern, it became apparent that she possessed him.

As Hengist had calculated, his marriage to a pagan princess and the giving away of Kent fuelled discontent in the British nobles, for he already had a wife, three sons named Vortimer, Catigern, and Pascentius, and a daughter. Nevertheless, Vortigern and Rowena were married that night. Although Vortigern was pleased with his new wife, his nobles and sons were shocked and angry at his behaviour and threatened rebellion. Ominously, over the sea in Armorica, a more significant threat was steadily manifesting as Aurelius and Uther continued preparing their invasion plans.

To make matters worse, despite his love for Rowena and marriage to her, Vortigern further alienated his sons and nobles and set the church against him by fathering a child with his daughter.

Vortimer

With the ever-increasing number of Saxons arriving, the Britons became uneasy and openly resented Vortigern’s favouritism towards them. Vortimer, the son of Vortigern, rebelled against his father, took the crown and led the Britons against the Saxons. His brother Catigurn duelled with Horsa in battle, killing each other. After being deposed, Vortigern had remained with Rowena and her father among the Saxons while Vortimer had fought against them. In a series of battles, Vortimer drove Hengist and the Saxons from mainland Britain to the Isle of Thanet, where he besieged them with his ships, regularly attacking them.

Hengist could not match Vortimer and, knowing he was defeated, sent Vortigern to his son to plead for peaceful passage out of Britain with him and his Saxons. While a conference was being held on this proposal, with the Britons distracted, the Saxons escaped in their ships, sailing back to their homeland while leaving their women and children behind.

Rowena’s Poison

Even though Hengist was gone, Rowena secretly kept in touch with her father in their homeland. She allegedly poisoned Vortimer, who fell ill and died, leaving a power vacuum, and once again, Vortigern claimed the crown. With Vortimer dead, Rowena persuaded her husband to send a message to her father, inviting him back in a private capacity, which would allow him to bring a small entourage with him.

Hearing that Vortimer was dead, Hengist saw his chance, raised an army of three hundred thousand warriors, and built a fleet of ships to transport his men to the shores of Britain. When the news of such a vast army reached Vortigern, the British nobles were furious at the betrayal of goodwill and resolved to fight.

After receiving information from Rowena about the British resolve, Hengist devised a different plan. He sent messengers to Vortigern saying that he had only brought such a large army for fear of being attacked by Vortimer, claiming he had not known of his death. He suggested that when he arrived, Vortigern should pick and choose those of his army who should stay and those to be sent home. If Vortigern agreed, he should propose a time and place to meet unarmed and make a peace treaty.

The Treachery of the Long Knives

Vortigern was pleased to accept this as he was reluctant to let Hengist leave, both for the sake of Rowena and because of his usefulness in battle. He set a date for the Kalends of May, which was drawing near, and the meeting place would be the monastery of Ambrius on the mount of that name. Hengist readily agreed but had formulated a secret plan. He ordered all his Saxon soldiers accompanying him to conceal a long knife in their clothing. They were to act friendly and peacefully towards the Britons, encouraging them to drink heavily. When he deemed the time was right, he would cry out “Nemet oure Saxas”, meaning “get your knives,” and they were to seize their knives and slay the Briton nearest to them who would not have understood their language. The only Briton to be spared was Vortigern, who Hengist wanted alive.

The plan worked, and four hundred and sixty of Britain’s barons and nobles were assassinated, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth, and Vortigern was taken hostage. This murderous event became known as the Night of the Long Knives or Treachery of the Long Knives. It became synonymous with Saxon treachery and looked upon by the Britons after that with great anger. Only one of the intended victims escaped that night. His name was Eldol, the Earl of Gloucester. He would help Aurelius defeat Vortigern, capture Hengist in battle, and execute him.

Hengist Takes Control

Meanwhile, Hengist now had Vortigern firmly in his power and, with him, the kingdom of the Britons. Nevertheless, he would not kill him until he had wrung from him everything he needed. He demanded Vortigern give him all his fortified cities and fortresses in return for his life. With no other choice, Vortigern agreed. He was set free to watch as Hengist and his Saxons took London and then York, Lincoln and Winchester leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Not knowing what else to do, Vortigern took what few followers remained and went to Cambria, where he was to seek counsel from his wise men.

Dinas Emrys: Merlin and the Two Dragons

4) The Two Dragons of Vortigern’s Tower (cropped) – Public Domain

Vortigern finally realised Hengist had dangerously outmanoeuvred him and consulted with his wise men. They advised him to find a strategically defensible site to build a new fortress to keep him and his followers safe, as Hengist had been given command of all the fortified places. After searching what remained of his kingdom, he finally settled on a place now named Dinas Emrys. His builders set to work, making good progress on the first day. When evening came, they went home expecting to continue building on that progress the following day. But in the morning, when they returned, they found all the walls they had built the previous day in a heap on the ground.

Bemused, they rebuilt what had fallen and again broke off from work in the evening, thinking they had set things right. In the morning, when they arrived expecting to make further progress with their work, they discovered once more that it had become a heap of rubble on the ground. This pattern repeated daily, and the building work did not progress. The exasperated Vortigern asked his wise men for guidance. They advised that he must seek out someone not born from a man who must then be sacrificed and his blood sprinkled on the foundations. He sent out his servants to find such a person. After a long search, they returned with a boy named Merlin Emrys, who would one day become the prophet and counsellor of the Kings of Britain.

Vortigern told Merlin he would be sacrificed, but Merlin demanded Vortigern bring him his wise men for questioning first. Vortigern agreed, and after Merlin questioned Vortigern, it became clear that they had no idea why the walls kept falling. Merlin explained to Vortigern that beneath the hill was an underground pool with two stone vessels, each containing a sleeping dragon. One dragon was red, and the other was white. It was the pool of water making the foundations unstable.

Merlin instructed Vortigern to dig below the foundations, and a pool was revealed. He then instructed Vortigern to drain the pool. As he had predicted, two stone containers, each holding a sleeping dragon, were found. One held a red dragon, the other a white, much to the amazement of all. When the dragons awoke, they immediately set about fighting each other. After a long and vicious struggle, the red dragon drove away the white dragon.

The Prophecies of Merlin

Merlin tested the wise men by asking what this meant, but none had any idea. He then interpreted the scene for Vortigern, explaining that the red dragon represented the Britons and the white dragon the Saxons. After a hard struggle, the red dragon would drive out the white dragon but warned it would return centuries later to rule Britain. Then, he made a long series of prophecies that impressed and awed Vortigern, who asked him how he would die.

Merlin told him he saw two possible deaths for him. He told him that as he spoke, Aurelius Ambrosius and his brother Uther had set sail for Britain at the head of a vast fleet carrying an invasion force and were disembarking at Totnes. The remaining Britons would flock to their banner, and they would seek him out and burn him in his tower in revenge for the death of their brother Constans and because he brought the Saxons to the shores of Britain. After finishing with him, they would attack Hengist and drive the Saxons from Britain. The next day, in proof of Merlin’s words, messages arrived in the morning telling of the arrival of Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther and an invasion army that had landed at Totnes. This would be the first possibility.

Then Merlin told Vortigern the second possibility would be at the hands of the Saxons, who were now, thanks to him, at work laying waste to the country. However, Merlin emphasised that he did not know who would get to him first. He predicted that Hengist would be killed and Aurelius Ambrosius would be crowned King of the Britons. He would right the wrongs done by the Saxons and bring peace to the country.

Unfortunately, his days would be cut short by poison. After him, Uther would be King, but he, too, would die of poisoning. He then foretold of the arrival of a king, believed to be Arthur, who would bring peace, unify Britain, and build a great empire. Merlin then advised him to seek out another site for his stronghold quickly.

Aurelius Ambrosius

News of the arrival of the two brothers and rightful heirs had spread like wildfire across Britain. The few war leaders and nobles left after the Treachery of the Long Knives had been scattered and leaderless. Eldol, the Earl of Gloucester, who had survived the treachery of Hengist, joined up with the brothers, as did the remaining warlords and nobles who had not attended the terrible event. They brought together the clergy and crowned Aurelius Ambrosius, the elder of the two brothers, the King of the Britons.

Although there was a clamour from these lords and clergy for the King to battle the Saxons immediately, Aurelius refused. He told them Vortigern would be brought to justice for the murder of Constans and for bringing in the Saxons to Britain. With this vengeance in mind, he marched his army to Caer Guorthegirn or the city or fortress of Vortigern, now known as Little Doward, where Vortigern had sought refuge from the Saxons.

The Burning of Vortigern

There are conflicting accounts of the death of Vortigern, but according to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Aurelius and Uther, with Eldol in assistance, attacked Vortigern’s last stronghold but could not breach the walls after several attempts. Aurelius then ordered that his archers rain burning arrows upon the fortress, turning it into a fiery inferno, killing all inside, including Vortigern and Rowena.

So it was that a man who had become the King of the Britons through treachery and murder was undone by Hengist, the Saxon leader who proved more treacherous, ruthless and cunning than he. Additionally, and importantly, it was Aurelius Ambrosius, in revenge for Vortigern murdering his father and brother and for bringing the Saxons to Britain’s shores, that finally brought about his downfall.

With the legendary Vortigern dead, King Aurelius Ambrosius turned his attention to Hengist and the Saxons, writing a new chapter in the legends and folklore of the Britons of the island of Britain.

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Vortigern’s Rule: Rowena’s Poison

Rowena was the legendary Anglo-Saxon temptress who captivated Vortigern, King of the Britons.  Her father was the Anglo-Saxon chief Hengist and she was mentioned in the Matter of Britain.  She is often seen as a femme fatale who deliberately set out to seduce and captivate the King of the Britons to gain influence for her father and her people.  She is mentioned by Nennius in Historia Brittonum (History of Britain) in the 9th century and Geoffrey of Monmouth in Historia regum Britanniae (The History of the Kings of Britain) written about 1136 and by Wace in Roman de Brut between 1150 – 1155. Although she is not a well known figure she played an important role in the fate of Vortigern and Britain in the years before the birth of King Arthur.   She played a large part in manipulating and undermining Vortigern for the benefit of her father Hengist and her Anglo-Saxon people.  Presented below is a retelling  of the story of Rowena according to Wace.

Hengist

Vortigern the  King of the Britons had employed the Saxon warlord Hengist to aid his defense of his realm and had been well pleased by the fighting prowess he and his warriors had shown in his service. Hengist, thinking that his service was worthy of reward went to him and requested a portion of land that could be encircled by the thong of a bull.  Within this circle he proposed to build himself a stronghold he could use as a base to serve the King of the Britons better and Vortigern had agreed. Hengist built his stronghold which became known as Thong Castle or Vancaster and asked permission of Vortigern to bring more warriors over from Germany to serve the King under his direction. In due time there came from Germany to the shores of Britain eighteen war galleys each filled with fighting men at arms but also carrying a rarer and more valuable cargo.   With them they had brought Rowena, the fair and beautiful unwed daughter of Hengist.

Rowena

To celebrate the building of his stronghold and the arrival of the ships Hengist invited Vortigern to a banquet in his new hall.  Hengist wanted to show off his new stronghold and for him to see the warriors who would man it, but there was also another reason. Vortigern was duly impressed by the stronghold and by the warriors who he accepted into his service. As the banquet progressed and as the wine flowed, from her chamber appeared the beautiful Rowena, dressed in the finest of clothes and bearing a golden cup overflowing with wine.

Walking gracefully up to Vortigern she knelt before him and offered him the cup saying,

 “Washael, lord king!”

Although Vortigern was most enthralled by this vision of loveliness kneeling before him and offering him a brimming cup of wine he did not understand her language.  Therefore he turned to Redic a Breton who understood the Saxon tongue for interpretation. Redric told him,

“The maiden saluted thee courteously, calling thee lord. It is the want of her people, sire, that when friend drinks with friend, he who proffers the cup cries, ‘Washael,’ and that he who receives answers in turn, ‘Drinkhael’. Then drinks he the half of this loving cup, and for joy and for friendship of him who set it in his hand, kisses the giver with all fair fellowship.” (1)

Therefore, Vortigern smiling at Rowena took the cup saying,

“Drinkhael”

and drank half the cup returning it to drink and kissed her. This Saxon custom of toasting would eventually become popular throughout the land.  A cup would be offered saying “Washael,” with the receiver saying “Drinkhael,” and the two sharing a kiss.

Vortigern had been drinking heavily and Rowena was an exceptionally beautiful women. She was also one of the most most sort after princesses in Europe. Now she stood before Vortigern finely and elegantly dressed and he feasted his eyes upon her and he was smitten. He was in a most merry and sociable mood and because of the wine his wits were dulled and as she knelt smiling before him offering him the golden cup, Vortigern, the King of the Britons fell under the spell of Rowena, the daughter of Hengist the Saxon.  Vortigern was a Christian and Rowena a pagan and any such thoughts of lust or marriage should have been strictly taboo but he was well and truly hooked.

Vortigern and the Devil

It was said the devil entered into him that night.  Vortigern could see no shame or wrong in her and lust burned hot in him.  He wanted her more than anything else and he begged Hengist for her hand in marriage.  After consultation with his brother Horsa and his other chieftains Hengist agreed on condition that Vortigern give to him the province of Kent as her dowry.

Without hesitation or consulting with his own advisers and nobles Vortigern readily agreed. Hengist was not slow in claiming Kent and forced out the incumbent lord named Garagon who Vortigern had neglected to inform of his loss creating much resentment among his nobles.

They now saw their King married to a pagan and showing a greater liking to them and their pagan ways than to his own countrymen who were Christians.  With Rowena as his wife and Hengist his father-in-law, Vortigern did indeed begin to give more favor and preference to the pagan Saxons causing great concern among the nobles of the Britons.

Saxon Reinforcements

Hengist was quick to take advantage of the the hatred the Britons now held against Vortigern and himself and went to him seeking to bring in reinforcements from Germany telling him,

“… men hold thee in hatred by reason of me, and because of thy love they bear me malice also. I am thy father, and thou my son, since thou wert pleased to ask my daughter for thy wife. It is my privilege to counsel my king, and he should hearken to my counsel, and aid me to his power. If thou wilt make sure thy throne, and grieve those who use thee despitefully, send now for Octa my son, and for my cousin Ebissa. There are not two more cunning captains than these, nor two champions to excel them in battle. Give these captains of thy land towards Scotland, for from thence comes all the mischief. They will deal with thy foes in such fashion that never more shall they take of thy realm, but for the rest of thy days we shall live in peace beyond the Humber.”  (2)

Vortigern agreed giving his permission to invite as men men as would fight for him. Hengist duly summoned his kinsmen to bring all who would follow them and they brought with them a fleet of three hundred ships filled with Saxon men-at-arms.  So many came that the Britons became concerned that a takeover by stealth was happening and when Vortigern dismissed their concern they went to his son Vortimer.

This new influx of Saxon warriors enraged the British nobles who began to talk darkly about their king.  Soon their anger and resentment turned to open revolt. Vortimer, Vortigern’s eldest son from his first wife,  took the leadership of the rebels and was joined by his younger brothers Caligern and Pascentius. The rebels made Vortimer, King of the Britons and he led them in a series of four battles eventually forcing the Saxons from the mainland. Vortigern chose to stay with his new wife Rowena and his father-in-law throughout the fighting and would not disown Rowena and her father Hengist or speak against the Saxons. As far as he was concerned they had served him bravely and faithfully and he stayed among them while his sons and the Britons led by Vortimer attacked and harassed them.

The Battles of Vortimer

Vortimer was a brave and skilful general and  drove the Saxons from the fortified towns, defeating them in four battles. In the first battle he defeated them on the banks of the Darent.  The second was fought at the ford near Aylesford. In the third battle Catigurn and Horsa dueled killing each other and in the fourth Vortimer pushed the Saxons back to the sea confining them to the isle of Thanet. There he harried them daily from his ships cutting off all supplies and exit.

Hengist, knowing they were trapped, sent Vortigern to his son to negotiate a safe passage from the island back to Germany for him and his Saxons.  While the negotiations were ongoing and with the Britons distracted Hengist and his Saxon warriors took to their ships in haste, leaving the women and children behind and escaping back to Germany.

With the Saxons gone the realm of the Britons was now at peace and Vortimer set about rebuilding the damage to the churches and the cities that the Saxons had been responsible for.  He rewarded those who had fought for him and restored Christianity and the laws of the Britons.

Rowena’s Poison

Rowena hated Vortimer for driving out her father and restoring Christianity.   She kept in touch with him while he was in Germany,and treacherously instigated the poisoning of Vortimer.   Realizing he was dying Vortimer called his barons together and shared out the treasures he had won and then with his last words said,

“take into your service warriors not a few, and grudge not the sergeant his wages. Hold one to another, and maintain the land against these Saxons. That my work may not be wasted, and avenged upon those who live, do this thing for their terror. Take my body, and bury it upon the shore. Raise above me such a tomb, so large and lasting, that it may be seen from far by all who voyage on the sea. To that coast where my body is buried, living or dead, they shall not dare to come.”  (3)

After this he died but the barons, perhaps foolishly ignored his burial wish and buried him in London.  Although this was the end of Vortimer it was not the end of the Saxon wars.

Once again Vortigern was made King of the Britons with Rowena one of his queens. She persuaded him to invite her father back bringing with him a small personal guard. Instead, Hengist on hearing his arch foe Vortimer was dead, raised an army of three hundred thousand warriors and built a fleet of ships in preparation for the invasion of Britain.

As soon as news of this development reached Vortigern and his barons they vowed they would meet the invaders in battle and drive them from their shores.  Through Rowena, Hengist learned of this intent and rather than risk open battle he decided to try a more devious approach that involved making a great show of supposedly peaceful intentions.  He sent ambassadors to Vortigern explaining that he had only raised such a vast army because he feared attack from his son Vortimer who he thought was still alive.  Since then he had now received news confirming his death and proposed to leave it up to Vortigern’s discretion who and how many should be returned home to Germany.   He then proposed that if Vortigern was in agreement that he should choose a time and place where they could meet together unarmed and in friendship to discuss any problems and make a peace treaty together.

The Treachery of the Long Knives

This suited Vortigern and he agreed and a peace conference was organised between the two parties scheduled for the kalends of May at at the monastery of Ambrius on Salisbury Plain.  The two sides were supposed to meet unarmed and in good faith to work out a peaceful solution to their problems. Maybe Vortigern was still under the spell of Rowena but he trusted Hengist completely and the Britons arrived unarmed.  Hengist was not so trusting of the Britons and had other designs in his mind. He  ordered that all of his followers should conceal in their clothing a long knife with which they were to attack the Britons with at his signal. As the conference got underway the wine and beer began to flow and the Saxons acted in a friendly and sociable way towards the Britons encouraging them to drink.  When Hengist deemed the time was right he gave the order for his Saxons to attack the nearest Briton. He spared Vortigern but the only other British noble to escape death was Eldol, the Duke of Gloucester, who in a mighty effort fought his way to a horse and escaped.  This treacherous event had a profound effect on the Britons who called it The Treachery of the Long Knives because  it left them virtually leaderless in the face of the Saxon takeover.

Hengist had spared Vortigern because of his marriage to Rowena but also because he wanted to extract ransom, forcing  him to give him all of the fortified towns and places in Britain in exchange for his life. With the most part of the nobles of the Britons massacred the country was now controlled by the Saxons.  With all of the fortified places in the hands of Hengist, Vortigern was forced to seek somewhere to make a refuge for himself and Rowena and those few who still followed him.

The Death of Vortigern and Rowena

The world had turned against him and soon he was to hear news of the arrival in Britain of an invasion force led by Aurelius Ambrosius, the rightful heir to the throne of Britain and his brother Uther.  They were determined to regain the crown of Britain that Vortigern had usurped and joined by Eldol and the remaining Britons they besieged him in his hastily built stronghold and finally burnt it to the ground killing him and Rowena.

© 26/04/2018 zteve t evans

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Eldol the Mighty, Duke of Gloucester

881px-a_chronicle_of_england_-_page_112_-_william_receives_a_fatal_hurt_at_mantes

James William Edmund Doyle [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Three Vigorous Ones of Britain

One of the lesser known and unsung heroes of the legend and mythology of the Britons was Eldol, the Duke of Gloucester.  Although mentioned in History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth he is largely unknown but his story tells of treachery and revenge in wild, wild times.  He was also known as Eldol the Mighty and was also mentioned in the Triads of Britain by Iolo Morganwg, as one of the Three Vigorous Ones of Britain.  The other two were  Gwrnerth of the sharp shot, who shot and killed the greatest bear that had ever lived using a straw arrow and Gwgawn of the mighty hand.   Gwgawn alone rolled the Stone of Maenarch, which normally needed sixty of the strongest oxen to move it, from the bottom of the valley to the top of the mountain.

Eldol gained his place as one of the vigorous three because he survived the terrible event in the history of the Britons known as the Treachery of the Long Knives by fighting his way free.   He also joined with the new King of the Britons, Aurelius Ambrosius and burnt the traitor King Vortigern in his tower.  Then he fought for Aurelius against the Saxons dueling with and capturing alive their warlord Hengist bringing him to face the justice of the King of the Britons.

The Treachery of the Long Knives

The event that became known as the Treachery of the Long Knives happened when Vortigern, the King of the Britons invited the Saxon warlord, Hengist to a peace conference at a monastery on the mythical Mount Ambrius on Salisbury Plain.  All participants were supposed to attend unarmed and this rule was strictly followed by the Britons.  However, Hengist had ordered his chieftains to conceal a long knife in their clothing to use at his command.  They were to act in  a peaceable and friendly manner and socialize with the Britons putting them at ease.  When Hengist gave the agreed  signal the Saxons stabbed the nearest Briton to them.  This act of treachery resulted in the deaths of most of the leading Britons.  Only Eldol and Vortigern of the Britons survived the attack. Eldol found a wooden stave which he used with deadly effect to kill six hundred and sixty Saxons in a desperate  fight between the setting of the sun and darkness before fighting his way to a horse and escaping to his home town of Gloucester.

Vortigern was purposely spared on the orders of Hengist because he was married to his daughter, Rowena, but also to draw ransom from and to manipulate further.  In return for his life Hengist demanded all of the fortified towns and places of the Britons be handed to him. With no other choice Vortigern agreed virtually handing over the rule of Britain to him.   This event profoundly affect the ability of the Britons to resist the Saxons as they were now virtually bereft of experienced leadership and no strong places. Vortigern, in an attempt to keep himself safe, looked for a site where he could build a place of strong refuge now that Hengist had all the fortified places of the Britons.

Merlin and the Two Dragons

At one site he made continued attempts to build a tower but the works would keep falling down overnight.  He was advised by Merlin that underground was a pool of water and that was what was making the walls fall down.  In the water there were two dragons; one red and one white that had been imprisoned there many, many, years ago in another age by KIng Lludd.

Merlin advised Vortigern to drain the pool and the dragons were revealed and set about fighting each other.  The red dragon drove out the white after a long and violent struggle. Merlin told him this represented the victory of the Britons over the Saxons and advised him that he saw two deaths for him.  One from the Saxons and one from the Britons but he could not say which would come first. He also prophesied the arrival of Aurelius Ambrosius who would unite the Britons and be crowned their king.  He would drive out the Saxons and come looking to avenge his father and elder brother who had been murdered by Vortigern when he usurped the throne. He made it clear his fate was sealed and the only question was who would get to him first.

Aurelius Ambrosius

Eldol and the few nobles who were left who had not been present at the massacre of the Britons by Hengist stepped up to take the leadership of the Britons and now joined forces with Aurelius recognising him as the rightful heir to the throne and making him their King.   They wanted him to drive out the Saxons first and then bring Vortigern to justice for bringing them in in the first place but Aurelius refused insisting Vortigern would be dealt with first. Eldol paid homage to him and told him how he had survived the Saxon treachery and of those who had fallen.

The Burning of Vortigern

Aurelius listened sympathetically but made it clear he wanted to defeat Vortigern first saying,

“See, most noble duke, whether the walls of this city are able to protect Vortigern against my sheathing this sword in his bowels. He deserves to die, and you cannot, I suppose, be ignorant of his desert. Oh most villainous of men, whose crimes deserve inexpressible tortures!  First he betrayed my father Constantine, who had delivered him and his country from the inroads of the Picts; afterwards my brother Constans whom he made king on purpose to destroy him. Again, when by his craft he had usurped the crown, he introduced pagans among the natives, in order to abuse those who continued steadfast in their loyalty to me: … Now, therefore, my countrymen, show yourselves men, first revenge yourselves upon him that was the occasion of all these disasters; then let us turn our arms against our enemies, and free our country from their brutish tyranny.” (1)

Wasting no more time, Aurelius and Eldol then put on their armour together intent on the destruction of Vortigern.   Aurelius set siege engines to work to break down the walls of the defenses but these failed. Determined to waste no more time he ordered the moat be drained and  filled with wood and combustible material and set ablaze. He commanded his archers to let fly burning arrows into the stronghold that found plenty of fuel. Vortigern was burnt to death in the tower of his last refuge along with his wives.

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James William Edmund Doyle [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Defeating  the Saxons

With Vortigern defeated the King of the Britons turned his attention to Hengist and the Saxons and moved his army northwards to confront him.   Hengist realised he had to fight the Britons head on or risk becoming trapped. To motivate his men he pointed out that they had the advantage in numbers telling them this would ensure victory.   Then he moved his army to a place where he knew the Britons would have to pass through hoping to take them by surprise. However, Aurelius had anticipated this and quick marched his men to confront the Saxons before they were ready.   He had given each regiment strict instructions and would himself lead the cavalry in a charge on the Saxon positions.

This had been the moment that a Eldol the Duke of Gloucester had been yearning for ever since the Treachery of the Long Knives.  His big hope was to find Hengist on the battlefield and engage in single combat to the death with him.   Many of the Britons also had old scores to settle against the Saxons and were determined to avenge the crimes they had committed against them.  Even so, the Saxons were still a powerful army and to defeat them would require a massive effort by the Britons.

With the arrival of the Britons the battle was quick to flare up and raged with unrestrained ferocity from both sides.   Eldol scoured the field searching out Hengist but the fighting was to thick and fierce and in the fray it was impossible to find him.   Despite urging his men on and presenting a fine example of bravery and leadership Hengist realised the Britons had gained the advantage and led his men in a retreat to the town of what is now Conisburgh.

Again Hengist resisted taking his army into the city fearing Aurelius would lay siege to it preventing escape.  He knew his Saxons were still a powerful force and he marshalled them and regrouped outside the town and prepared them to face the Britons outside the town.  His thinking was that he would rather defeat them in outright battle of force a way through and escape heading for Scotland, or to their ships on the coast.

Aurelius wasted no time and attacked the Saxons on arrival and there began a most terrible and bloody battle.   The Britons attacked with all their might hoping to overpower the Saxons who fought back courageously. Seeing the ferocity of the Saxon defense Aurelius sent in cavalry against them breaking their ranks and preventing them from regrouping and  causing confusion. This disarray encouraged the Britons who attacked now with greater ferocity.

Aurelius again urged the cavalry against the Saxons driving them before him.  Eldol fighting on foot leading the infantry took the fight to the Saxons killing all in his path but always seeking out his deadly archenemy, Hengist.   Eventually the two met face to face and a deadly duel followed. Hengist was a skilled swordsman and as ferocious as any warrior and Eldol the champion of the Britons now had his wish come true and while the battle raged all around them the two fought one another in a ferocious duel.

At times Hengist drove forward against his opponent but Eldol parried blow after blow and through the power in his arms and body and the steel of his will fought back. Hengist recovered and again with his swordsmanship began to take the advantage but at that moment the arrival of a fresh contingent of cavalry led by Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall gave renewed energy to the Britons and Eldol surged forward and managed to take a strong grip on the war helmet of Hengist and catching him off balance pulled him into the ranks of the Britons.

A clamour rose among the Britons for Hengist to be killed immediately.  Eldol refused telling them that Hengist would face the justice of Aurelius Ambrosius, the King of the Britons.   He had him bound in chains and taken from the battlefield to await the justice of the king. With Hengist now in their hands the Britons gained great heart and fought harder.  Although the Saxons had lost their general and great inspirational leader they continued to fight on but gradually, lacking his direction they were steadily and surely pushed back until they were forced to flee for their lives.

The Vengeance of Eldol

With the Britons victorious Aurelius decided to rest his army in Conan driving out any remaining Saxons.  Then he gave orders for the dead to be given a proper burial and tended the wounded of his own army and rested his troops.   To help him decide the fate of Hengist he called a council of his lords and bishops and had Hengist brought before him. Eldad the bishop of Gloucester and the brother of Eldol stood up and said,

“Though all should be unanimous for setting him at liberty, yet would I cut him to pieces. The prophet Samuel is my warrant, who when he had Agag, king of Amalek, in his power, hewed him in pieces, saying, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. Do therefore the same to Hengist, who is a second Agag.” (2)

Aurelius and all those present unanimously agreed that this would.  Therefore, Eldol led Hengist from the council and executed him as had been decided.   King Aurelius Ambrosius who always showed respect to others ordered that earth should be raised over the body of Hengist as was the traditional burial practice of the Saxons in their homeland.  So it was that Eldol who had survived that terrible night of Saxon treachery came at last to wreak his vengeance on his archenemy, Hengist and become one of the mightiest heroes of the Britons.

© 12/07/2016 zteve t evans

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Vortigern’s Rule: The Treachery of the Long Knives

The_murder_of_Raymond_Trencavel

By Noel Sylvestre (1847-1915) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Treachery and Betrayal

The Treachery of the Long Knives was a legendary event that was allegedly inflicted upon the unsuspecting British King Vortigern and his chieftains by the Saxon mercenary leader Hengist in the 5th century.  It was seen as a supreme act of treachery and betrayal by the Britons and is mentioned in the 6th-century work Historia Brittonum attributed to Nennius.   Later Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century in his work Historia Regum Britanniae (The History of the Kings of Britain) presents a slightly different version.  The work presented here is drawn from both versions.

Hengist and Horsa

The legend tells how after Vortigern had usurped the crown of Britain he turned to the Saxons led by the brothers Hengist and Horsa for help in fighting the Picts and Gaels who were ravaging his kingdom. The Saxons proved an effective fighting force driving out his enemies.  As a reward for their services he gave them the Isle of Thanet, Kent, as well provisions and gifts in gratitude.

Despite being richly rewarded the Saxons were not satisfied with the land and gifts and had a bigger game plan in their minds which they kept secret from Vortigern. They wanted Britain to rule for themselves and had a plan to get their way.  Hengist and Horsa cleverly manipulated Vortigern into allowing them to bring in more of their people from overseas in the pretense of helping to secure Britain from its enemies. They were hugely successful in battle and in return for their services in securing his kingdom they successfully persuaded Vortigern to grant more land and let them bring in more of their people.

Vortigern had become infatuated with the daughter of Hengist whose name was Rowena. Hengist gave her to him in marriage to curry favor, reinforce his web of deception and to have another hold over Vortigern.  All along he had loftier designs and all the time was planning and plotting to overthrow Vortigern and take control of Britain.  Vortigern allowed more and more Saxons into Britain giving them land in the north of the country to protect the rest of Britain from raids from Scotland, but as their numbers grew so did their power. The growing power of the Saxons and the increasing dependence of Vortigern on them and the favor he showed to them began to concern some of his own warlords including Vortimer his son. With backing from other British nobles and barons, he took the crown and attacked the Saxons finally defeating them after four battles.

Vortimer’s Successes

Vortimer fought the Saxons courageously and successfully while his father remained with Hengist. During one of the battles, Horsa was killed and some accounts say it was by Catigern, another of Vortigern’s sons. Some accounts say they met in battle and fought in a duel killing each other, though it cannot be verified. After Vortimer had successfully driven out Hengist and the Saxon, he was poisoned, allegedly by Rowena, who was now his step-mother, being the wife of Vortigern and the daughter of Hengist. After the death of his son, Vortigern retook the crown of Britain and at Rowena’s request invited her father back to Britain in a private capacity. He gave permission for him to bring a small and limited armed entourage to provide protection for him and his servants. Hengist had feared Vortimer but hearing that he was dead instead of bringing a small entourage assembled an army of three hundred thousand warriors and built a fleet of ships to carry them to Britain.

When the news of such a vast warlike army reached Vortigern and his princes and barons they were angry and vowed to fight and drive them from Britain. Rowena sent a message warning her father that the Briton’s intended to fight and Hengist set about making a new plan. He considered several different approaches and in the end settled for a great show of peace towards Vortigern and the Britons.

He sent envoys to Vortigern with a message of lies claiming that he had not raised such a great army to stay with him or threaten Britain. The reason he claimed to have brought them was that he believed Vortimer still lived and he feared he would be attacked by him. However, now he had received news confirming his death and therefore he proposed that he put himself and his army to the judgment of Vortigern. It would be up to him to decide who and how many should stay and who and how many should return home. He further proposed that if this plan was agreeable to Vortigern that he should decide a time and place where they could meet and discuss the details together.

The Treachery of the Long Knives

Vortigern was pleased with the proposal and accepted. He had been unhappy that Hengist and his people had been driven out by his son and sent a message back with the envoys saying they would meet at the monastery of Ambrius on the kalends of May which were near.  The peace discussions would take place at a banquet where the matters would be discussed peacefully no weapons were to be carried.

With these matters agreed, Hengist invented a new more villainous plan and ordered that all his men were to conceal a long knife in their clothes at the banquet. When the wine was flowing and the Britons suitably relaxed he would shout, “Nemet oure Saxas”. His men would then stab the nearest Briton to them. With this villainy in mind, Hengist and his Saxons attended the conference at the appointed time and place. When he deemed it an appropriate time he shouted his command which the Britons not knowing their language did not understand. His Saxons took out their long knives and stabbed the nearest unarmed and unsuspecting Briton. While this was taking place Hengist took Vortigern prisoner.

Eldol Escapes

The Saxons killed all except one of the unsuspecting and unarmed Britons who had come expecting to talk peace. Nevertheless, although surprised and unarmed they fought bravely and ferociously and succeeded in killing a great number of Saxons before the fell.  Only Eldol, Earl of Gloucester got away having found a wooden stake which he used with deadly effect as a weapon fighting his way to a horse and escaping.  He would later join up with Aurelius Ambrosius and his brother Uther to take revenge on both Vortigern and Hengist. He held Vortigern responsible for bringing in the Saxons and whose foolishness had allowed the massacre.  He hated Hengist the Saxon leader and perpetrator of the bloodbath as enemy of Britain and betrayer of good faith.

According to Nennius three hundred were killed but Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed as many as four hundred and sixty of the ruling barons and nobility of Britain had been killed and these were buried by bishop Eldad who gave them a Christian burial near the monastery of Ambrius near Salisbury. This had been a disaster for the Britons and had a profound effect on the British psyche. It derived them from many of their barons and war leaders making it possible for Hengist to effectively take control of the country virtually unopposed.

Hengist

Hengist now with Vortigern at his mercy demanded that he give to him the strongholds and fortified cities of Britain or be killed. With no other choice, Vortigern gave Hengist everything he demanded. With Britain effectively bereft of leadership, Hengist marched his army to London laying waste the countryside along the way and occupying that city. With London secure, he then took Winchester, York, and Lincoln burning and raising towns and villages along the way.

Vortigern Flees

When Vortigern saw the destruction the Saxons wreaked upon Britain he fled to Cambria having no other idea of what to do knowing he could not stand against them. Calling together his wise men he asks their advice. After consulting together they agreed he should find some strategically defensive place where a strongly fortified tower could be built that would offer him safety, for now, he had no safe place to stay anywhere in Britain. The place he chose was believed to have been Dinas Emrys but it did not prove to be a good choice as the building works kept tumbling down.

The Prophecy of Merlin

It was here Merlin comes to play an important role in the affairs of Britain. Merlin prophesied that there were two dragons, one red and one white, buried in a pool under the foundations which was the reason why the walls fell down. Furthermore, it was here that he prophesied the arrival of Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther the rightful heirs to the crown of Britain with an invasion force to reclaim the throne from him. With news of their arrival, the surviving war leaders flocked to his banner and Aurelius was made the king.

Significantly, Merlin also prophesied the defeat of the Saxons by the Boar of Cornwall, the symbol of Arthur Pendragon, who would eventually be king. He told Vortigern he needed to find another site for his fort and that he faced two deaths. One from Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther when they caught up with him.  The from the Saxons and Merlin told him he did not know which it would be.  It so happened that Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther, with the help of Eldol, caught up with him first burning him and his wives to death in their stronghold. They would then turn their attention on Hengist and succeeded in defeating the Saxons.

Once Britain was at peace, King Aurelius instructed his brother Uther and his adviser, Merlin to bring him the Giant’s Dance from Mount Killaraus in Ireland. After Uther had defeated the Irish king Merlin transported the Giant’s Dance to Britain and installed it at Ambrius. There it made a fitting monument to the victims of the Treachery of the Long Knives. Both he and Uther were buried there when their time came both and both were killed by treachery and the term became synonymous with betrayal and deceit through the ages.

Nazi Germany

The term was believed to have been adapted to describe a purge that took place in Nazi Germany from 30 June to 2nd July, 1934 and called The Night of the Long Knives. This was a series of extrajudicial killings of leading members of the Nazi’s own paramilitary organization, the Sturmabteilung but also known as the Brownshirts, because of the color of the clothes they wore. Hitler believed the Brownshirts had become a threat to his political power and the purpose of the murders was to strengthen his grip on power in Germany. Such was its power that variations of the term are still used to describe sudden political purges around the world yet there is no proof that the event ever took place.

© 15/11/2017 zteve t evans

References, Attributions and Further Reading

Copyright November 15th, 2017 zteve t evans