449 CE - Vortigern Invites Saxons To Help Repel Attacks By Picts

by Iain Mac an tSaoir

Though the exact date is a matter of contention, information ascribes this year as when Vortigern solicited the help of Saxon tribes to repel attacks by Picts and Scots. In return for this help he gave over lands to the Saxons. These lands were simply used by the Saxons as beachheads for further invasion of British lands. Soon enough, Saxons were spilling into Britain, forcing refugees to flee to the west and south. In British literary traditions and folklore, Vortigern is cast as a traitor for this act.

Sources:

The Battle For Gaul, Julius Caesar, David R. Godine Pub, (c)1980, ISBN 0-87923-306-0

The Celtic Empire, Peter Berresford Ellis, Carolina Acedemic Press, (c)1994,ISBN 0-89089-457-4

The World of the Celts, Simon James, Thames and Hudson Ltd., (c)1993, ISBN 0-500-0567-8

The Celts, Gerhard Herm, St. Martin's Press, (c)1977, ISBN 312-1205-7

The Celts, Jean Markale, Inner Traditions Intl, (c)1978, ISBN 0-89281-413-6

The Celtic World, Amanda Green, Routledge, (c)1995, ISBN 0-415-05764-7

Encyclopedia Brittanica15th Edition, Vol. 2, ISBN 0-85229-591X

History of the World, J.M. Roberts,Oxford Press, 1993, ISBN 0-19-521043-3

prepared by Iain Mac an tSaoir

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