Did you know that the first major battle between the ancient Britons (the predecessors of the Welsh) and the Anglo-Saxons (predecessors of the English) is widely believed to be the Battle of Aylesford and is estimated to have taken place in AD 455?

The battle was fought between the two sides with the warlord Gwrtheyrn (known as Vortigern in English) leading the Britons, with Hengist and Horsa leading the Anglo-Saxons.

Much of this battle is lost to history. Firstly, we still don’t know who exactly won it! Secondly, the best-known source we have for the battle is the 9th century Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which would have been written at least four-hundred years after the battle had taken place, affecting its reliability.

The source states of the battle that:

“This year Hengest and Horsa fought with Wurtgern the king on the spot that is called Aylesford. His brother Horsa being there slain, Hengest afterwards took to the kingdom with his son Esc.”

So, all we really know is that Horsa was slain in the battle and Hengest (with his son Osic) became King of Kent.

Another source, also from the 9th century, titled “Historia Brittonum”, speaks similarly but avoids mentioning Gwrtheyrn and instead claiming his son, Gwerthefyr (known as Vortimer in English), was the one involved. Much like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, it also speaks of Horsa dying in battle and the Anglo-Saxons expanding their lands.

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Niklas George

Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.