Name Vortigern , King of Britain ![](../img/i_tree.png)
Notes for Vortigern , King of Britain
Notes:
Bartrum's "Welsh Genealogies".
He was one of two of the most powerful leaders in Britain in the years immediately following the collapse of the Roman Empire. He is famous (or infamous) for inviting the Saxons, Heingst and Horsa, to Britain to assist him in his struggle for power. The Saxons, of course, in the following years came to conquer all of England. His center of power was in eastern Wales. On page 48-49 of his book, "A history of Wales", John Davies states that "Vortigern was a native of the borders of Wales and he appears in the genealogies as an ancestor of the Kings of Powys."
From --- Nennius, *British History [*Historia Brittonum*, c. 800 A.D.] and The Welsh Annals*, ed & trans by John Morris, London (Phillimore) & Totowa NJ (Rowman & Littlefield) 1980, p 28: "But Hengest was an experienced man, shrewd and skilful. Sizing up the king's [Vortigern's] impotence, and the military weakness of his people, he held a council, and said to the British king 'We are few; if you wish, we can send home and invite warriots from the fighting men of our country, that the number who fight for you and your people may be larger.' The king ordered it to be done, and envoys were sent across the sea, and came back with sixteen keels, with picked warriors in them. In one of the keels came Hengest's daughter, a beautiful and very handsome girl. When the keels had arrived, Hengest held a banquet for Vortigern, and his men and his interpreted, whose name was Ceretic, and he told the girl to serve their wine and spirits. They all got exceedingly drunk. When they were drinking, Satan entered into Vortigern's heart, and made him love the girl. Through his interpreter he asked her father for her hand, saying 'Ask of me what you will, even to the half of my kingdom.' (P) Hengest took counsel with the elders of Angeln, to decide what they should ask of the king for the girl, and they all agreed to ask for the country that in their language is called Canturguoralen, in ours Kent. So he granted it to them, although Gwyrangon was ruling in Kent, and did not know that his kingdom was being handed over to the heathens, and that he was himself given seretly into their power on his own. So the girl was given in marriage to Vortigern, and he slept with her, and loved her deeply."
From same, p 32-33:
"Meanwhile, Vortigern's son Vortimer fought vigorously against Hengest and Horsa and their people ..... But Vortimer soon after died. ..... So it came to pass that after the death of Vortimer, son of king Vortigern, and after the return of Hengest and his hosts, they instigated a treacherous plan, to trick Vortigern and his army. They sent envoys to ask for peace and make a permanent treaty. Vortigern called a council of his elders to examine what they should do. Ultimately one opinion prevailed with all, that they should make peace. The envoys went back, and conference was convened, where the two sides, British and English, should meet, unarmed, to confirm the treaty. (P) But Hengest told all his followers to hide their daggers under their feet in their shoes, saying 'When I call out to you and say "*English, draw your knives*", take your daggers from your shoes and fall upon them, and stand firm against them. But do not kill the king; keep him alive, for my daughter's sake, whom I wedded to him, for it is better for us that he be ransomed from us.' So the conference assembled, and the English, friendly in their words, but wolfish in heart and deed, sat down, like allies, man beside man. Hengest cried out as he had said, and all the three hundred Seniors of king Vortigern were murdered, and the king alone was taken and held prisoner. To save his life, he ceded several districts, namely Essex and Sussex [gloss:] together with Middlesex and other districts that they chose and designated}. (P) But saint Germanus preached at Vortigern, to convert him to his lord, and to separate him from his illicit union [with one of his daughters, by whom he had a child, said to be named FAUSTUS, p 33]. But he [Vortigern] fled in desperation to the country that is called Gwerthrynion after him, and hid there with his wives. So saint Germanus followed him with all the British clergy, and stayed there forty days and forty nights, standing upon a rock day and night and beseeching him. Then Vortigern withdrew in disgrace to the fortress of Vortigern, which is in the country of the Demetians, on the river Teifi. Saint Germanus followed him, as before, and stayed there fasting with all the clergy for three days and as many nights to achieve his end, and on the fourth night, about midnight, the whole fortress was suddenly destroyed by fire sent from heaven, and the fire of heaven burned. Vortigern was destroyed with all who were with him, and with all his wives. This is the end of Vortigern, as I found it in the book of the Blessed Germanus; but others have different versions."
1. Catigern
2. Vortimer*
3. Pasgen*
4. Britu
Notes for Sevira (Spouse 1)
Notes:
Bartrum's "Welsh Genealogies".
The name of her and her father are inscribed on the Pillar of Eliseg, which see (RIN 2530).
1. Catigern
2. Vortimer*
3. Pasgen*
4. Britu