After the Romans were expelled from Britain in 409, the island faced a pivotal moment. With the departure of the Roman Empire, the Britons had to make critical decisions that would shape their future.
Shortly after the Romans left, a man named Vortigern emerged as a powerful ruler over the Britons. Medieval records portray him as a foolish and wicked king.
Who Was Vortigern?
In response to attacks from the Picts and the Scots, Vortigern decided to hire Germanic mercenaries—the Anglo-Saxons—to defend Britain’s borders. In exchange, these mercenaries would receive land and resources. However, this plan backfired when the Anglo-Saxons, dissatisfied with their compensation, turned against the Britons and began conquering more territory, eventually leading to the formation of England. Thus, Vortigern played a significant role in Britain’s history.
The only near-contemporary reference to Vortigern comes from “De Excidio” by Gildas, written in the 6th century. Gildas describes him as a “proud” and “unlucky tyrant.” While most manuscripts don’t mention his name, some do. Later accounts, such as Bede’s 8th-century work, clearly name Vortigern.
Vortigern was likely a high king or mini-emperor ruling over a substantial part of former Roman Britain. During the early 5th century, Britain saw several usurping emperors, the last of whom was Constantine III. When Constantine III left for Gaul in 407, many Roman troops accompanied him, and Britain expelled Roman administration in 409, likely under a new usurper. Vortigern, it seems, focused his efforts solely on Britain.
Although there’s no direct evidence that Vortigern himself expelled Constantine III’s administration, later legends suggest he was an advisor to the king who took over after Roman rule ended. Given Gildas’ lack of mention of Vortigern’s involvement in expelling the Romans, he likely came into power shortly after that event, succeeding the original usurper.
When Did Vortigern Rule?
Gildas doesn’t provide exact dates for Vortigern’s reign, but archaeological evidence suggests the arrival of Germanic mercenaries around 430. The 5th-century Gallic Chronicle of 452 and the “Life of St Germanus” support this timeline. The 9th-century “Historia Brittonum” states the Anglo-Saxons arrived in 428, suggesting Vortigern’s reign began before then. The “Historia Brittonum” also mentions 425 as the start of his reign, a date that aligns with other evidence.
Interestingly, the “Historia Brittonum” also mentions a Roman emperor named Constantius who ruled Britain for 16 years before being murdered, likely a confused reference to Constantine III. This tradition suggests that Constantius (or Constantine) was the usurper who expelled the Romans, and in 425, Vortigern had him murdered and took power.
Thus, Vortigern’s reign likely began around 425, marking the start of a new era in Britain’s history.
Vortigern’s Family Background
The earliest record detailing Vortigern’s family comes from the 9th-century text Historia Brittonum. This ancient document lists the names of his immediate ancestors, his wife, his sons, and his later descendants. While the accuracy of this information is uncertain, it remains the earliest available source, making it invaluable for historical insights. According to Historia Brittonum, Vortigern’s father was named Vitalis, who in turn was the son of Vitalinus.
Interestingly, there is a stone inscription dedicated to a certain “Vitalianus” in Nevern, Southwest Wales, dating back to the 5th century. This stone might commemorate Vortigern’s grandfather, proving that the name Vitalianus was in use during this early period. Such evidence lends some credibility to the Historia Brittonum’s account of Vortigern’s ancestry, despite the scarcity of later medieval references to this name in Wales.
Among Vortigern’s notable descendants, his son Vortimer stands out. Vortimer is renowned for his fierce resistance against the Anglo-Saxons after they betrayed the Britons. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a 10th-century record, supports the occurrence of four significant battles between Vortimer and the Saxons. One of these battles also involves another of Vortigern’s sons, Catigern, according to the Historia Brittonum. However, it remains unclear whether Catigern fought alongside the Britons or the Saxons. Vortigern, in contrast to his son Vortimer, is depicted as attempting to appease the Germanic invaders. Following Vortimer’s death, Vortigern continued his rule as usual.
The Historia Brittonum also notes that Vortigern married the daughter of a prominent Anglo-Saxon king, later records naming her Rowena. Although earlier confirmation of this marriage is lacking, such alliances were common in the ancient and medieval periods, lending plausibility to this claim.
Vortigern’s Death and Legacy
A later source attributes Vortigern’s death to Ambrosius Aurelianus, who, according to Bede, was active militarily from at least the 470s. Whether Vortigern was killed by Ambrosius, Germanus, or both, it is clear that his death occurred in the latter half of the 5th century. Considering he was likely around 25 years old when he became king in 425, a death in the 470s is plausible.
The historical record regarding Vortigern is sparse and uncertain. What is fairly certain is that he was a powerful leader during the immediate post-Roman period. Vortigern is credited with arranging for Anglo-Saxon mercenaries to settle in Britain, succeeding the usurper who expelled Roman administration in 409. His reign likely began around 425, and he probably invited the Saxons shortly thereafter.
While it is uncertain whether “Vortigern” was his actual name, all subsequent traditions agree on it. He had several sons, with the eldest, Vortimer, vigorously opposing the Saxons. Despite Vortimer’s death, Vortigern continued efforts to appease the Saxons. The legendary marriage to a Saxon leader’s daughter is not historically confirmed but is consistent with practices of the time. Ultimately, Vortigern’s reign ended when Germanus, Ambrosius, or both, pursued and killed him, probably in the 470s.
