History of the Kings of Britain 8 - Vortigern Becomes King

This is the eighth reading from Geoffrey of Monmouth’s ‘History of the Kings of Britain’ and it introduces Vortigern to us, the famous King who sold the Britons out to the Saxons. Constans was actually the rightful King, but Vortigern plotted to have him killed by the Picts, so that he could make rule the country himself. After this Hengist and Horsa arrive in ships, claiming to be there to offer their services to the monarch in helping him defend the country from the Picts.

Vortigern then falls in love with Hengist’s daughter and in order to gain her hand in marriage, he gives the county of Kent to the Saxons. Not surprisingly this upsets the Britons and they raise Vortigern’s son Vortimer to the throne and he ends up sending the Saxons packing.


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