Hengist the Hero Flashcards
When is it thought that Hengist and Horsa arrived in Britain?
Around 450 AD
Why did Hengist and Horsa come to Britain?
They were recruited (along with many mercenaries) by the British tyrant Vortigern to assist his forces campaigning against the Picts
Where did Hengist and Horsa come from?
Jutland
Where did Hengist and Horsa land in Britain
Ebbsfleet in Thanet
Were Hengist and Horsa real or were they a myth?
It is not known - they fall somewhere between the two
Which kingdom in the UK did Hengist found and who with?
Kent. With his brother Horsa and then his son Aesc.
What did Hengist and Horsa’s family trace its origin
from?
Germanic Gods - the naming of Sons after horses was considered sacred.
When did the importance of Human/Horse burial finish ?
With the arrival of Christianity.
What are the main sources for the story of Hengist?
Nennius - Historia Brittounum, Bede, The Ruin, Gildas
In Nennius’s story who did Hengist arrange to marry his daughter and for what?
Vortigern - in exchange for Kent
Where was Horsa killed?
In confrontation with Vortigern because Vortigern wanted to expel Hengist and Horsa but they wouldn’t go.
Hengist returned home after this defeat but came back to Kent - what happened next?
The murder of three hundred leading Britains
When did Hengist die and who can be seen as a direct descendant
488 - Aethelbert
Did Vortigern survive?
Yes
