HENGIST
Hengest

Traditionally, the leader of the Saxon invaders of Britain who took service as a mercenary with Vortigern. He brought with him his brother, Horsa (Hors) and they settled in Kent c AD 449, the first Anglo-Saxon settlers/invaders in Britain. Hengist was originally a leader of the Jutes, and thus he and his brother are said to have come from Jutland.

Vortigern married Rowena, Hengist's daughter and Hengist became King of Kent. Defeated in battle by Vortimer, he fled to Germany, but Vortigern recalled him and he returned with 300.000 men and persuaded Vortigern to summon all the British leaders to a meeting at Salisbury. There he had the entire company massacred.

After Vortigern's death Hengist was eventually defeated by Ambrosius Aurelius, his actual death being attributed to Count Eldol. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle places his death in AD 448, but neglects to say how he died. His story is told by Bede and Geoffrey of Monmouth.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (a medieval list of Saxons in Britain), places his death in AD 448, but does not say how he died. Some of his earlier history may be gleaned from the Anglo-Saxon poems Beowulf and The Fight at Finn's Burg. These mention a Hengist who may be identical with the invader. He was a follower of Hnaef, King of the Danes. When they were visiting Hnaef's brother-in-law, Finn Focwalding, King of the Frisians, a fight occurred and Hnaef was killed. Hengist became the leader of Hnaef's followers and entered the service of Finn, but later killed him.

Hengist, who is nowadays generally regarded as a historical figure, is credited with sons named Hartwaker (who was thought to have succeeded him as ruler of German Saxony and to have reigned from AD 448-480), Octa, Aesc and Ebissa, and daughters called Ronwen and Sardoine. However, the latter appears to be a Latinisation of her true name, for, in various sources that appear to adhere to accepted Anglo-Saxon spellings, the name of Hengist's daughter who became Vortigern's queen is given as Hrothwina.