Vortigern

Vortigern (in Welsh modern Gwrtheyrn ) was a king of the island of Brittany of the 5th century after J. - C. the qualification of “king” is contradicted by Gildas, which rather describes it like “president”, that is to say “principal council”. If the historical reality of the character is not called into question, it is however advisable to be careful, because what was transmitted to us in this connection raises more of legendary of the Matière of Brittany, the more so as it is found associated with the Légende arthurienne.

One retains the year 410 to locate the end of the Roman presence in the island of Brittany. It is shortly after that Vortigern appears, at that time that English historiography names the Dark Ages (i.e. “dark ages”). He is regarded as notable a britto-Roman. According to the sources, it is sovereign of all the island, towards 425, or king of the Brittons-Romans of the Kent (the ancient Cantium ), towards 450.

Etymology

Its name is indisputably brittonic: composed of Uor- , gwr- , large, higher and tigern , translated prince, his name thus means “Large Sovereign”. The word tigern does not imply necessarily a royal origin, nor even aristocratic, considering the fact that - tigern was also employed in Ireland for names of commun runs - however one finds it in the names of two kings Tigernach Tetbannach Mac Luchta and Tigernmas. The presumedly Roman origin is without base.

Bède Worthy the at the 8th century mentions it under the name of “Vurtigirnus”. The Latinization of its name four centuries later is not enough to make a Romain of origin of it, as could the being Ambrosius Aurelianus.

According to Geoffroy de Monmouth in his Historia regum Britanniae , it would have become king , after having assassinated the son of the king Constantin (III - actually Co-emperor), and would have been combined with the Saxons to fight the Pictes come from north.

This alliance with Germains conferred to him a reputation of traitor in the Celtic world . It would have been relieved by its people with the profit of his son Vortimer (in Welsh Gwerthefyr ), and would have taken refuge with the Wales, where, according to the legend, it would have met Merlin the Enchanter. He would have then assassinated his son in order to recover the throne.

Vortigern in the Historia regum Britanniae

The accession with the throne

Constant, withdrawn in its convent, leaves the government of the kingdom with Vortigern, without which nothing is done. Vortigern then thinks of seizing the royalty. All the applicants with the throne are too young to reign. It thus starts by seizing the royal treasures, as well as strengthened cities, at the pretext of foreign threats (the Pictes, combined with the Danish and the Norwegian ), and places its men there. It makes come from Pictes from Scotland and the place near the king, while treating them sumptuously. By stratagem, it gives birth to at Pictes the idea that he would be a better king than Constant. Constant is assassinated by Pictes which decapitate it and offer its head to Vortigern, which pretends the pain and makes punish the murderers.

The unloading of the Saxon ones

Vortigern becomes king and subjugated the lords of the kingdom. But its fixed price has suddenly been known, and Pictes form a coalition in Albania.

A foreign army, carried out by the brothers Hengist and Horsa unloads in the Kent. Vortigern requests them to come to meet it whereas it remains in Dorobernia (today Canterbury). Hengist teaches him that they are originating in Saxony in Germanie, of which they were driven out according to a habit in the event of overpopulation. The king questions them on their religion, then an alliance proposes to them: in exchange of their assistance, it will make their fortune. The Saxons accept and settle at the court of the king. Pictes invade the kingdom and plunder the grounds of north, Vortigern and its warriors move towards the enemy for one terrifying battles. The help of Saxon is decisive, Pictes are demolished and flee.

Matrimonial alliance

In accordance with his promise, the king gives grounds to Hengist, so that it rewards his warriors. Considering the dangers which threaten the kingdom, the Saxon one proposes to make come from other warriors from Germanic. The king accepts and the right grants to him to build a fortress, Castrum Corrigiae.

Ten eight ships arrive of Germanic, full with Saxon warriors. Ronwen, the splendid girl of Hengist is voyage. The Saxon one invites the king in his new residence, it fall instantaneously in love with the young girl. He marries it the following night in exchange of the territory of Kent. This marriage is not taste of the other lords, nor of its three first wire, Vortimer, Katigern and Pascent. It is at that time that holy Germain, the bishop of Auxerre and holy Loup, bishop of Troyes, come in the island Brittany to restore the true faith, debased by the irreligious people.

End of reign

Hengist requires of Vortigern to make come his/her son Octa and its Ebissa cousin, so that they defend the grounds close to the Scotland. These are 300 ships which unload in the island. The assistance of this powerful army saxonne makes it possible to the king to beat his enemies. But the Breton ones require of Vortigern to get rid of the Saxon allies which terrify the population. Vis-a-vis his reserves, one withdraws sovereignty to him and his/her Vortimer son is proclaimed king. This last attacks the Saxon ones which magistralement is magistralement beaten with four recoveries and turns over into Germanic.

The new king confiscates and redistributes the goods of Saxon with his people. But it is poisoned by Ronwen, the former queen. It is buried in the city of Trinovantum. Vortigern takes again its royal place and he learns that Hengist, into Germanic, is on the point of returning in the island with 300.000 soldiers. The fear of a new invasion saxonne and the trick of Hengist lead to the decision of a meeting with Ambrius. At the time of this conference where one was to speak about peace, Hengist seizes Vortigern and the Saxon ones cut the throat of 460 Breton lords, they are buried in Kaercaradoc (today Salisbury).

It follows a battle between the two camps, which the Saxon ones leave victorious, not without damage. Vortigern is retained like hostage, one leaves him the life and one grants to him freedom in exchange of the occupation of the kingdom. Many cities are invested and the massacred inhabitants. The king takes refuge in Cambrie.

Sources

Geoffroy de Monmouth, Historia regum Britanniae , transl. Laurence Mathey-Mesh, Beautiful letters, coll “the Wheel with books”, Paris, 2004.

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