In the meantime came tidings to Vortiger the king, that over

LAYAMON'S BRUT

At Totnes Constantin the fair and all his host came ashore; thither

came the bold man--well was he brave!--and with him two thousand

knights such as no king possessed. Forth they gan march into London,

and sent after knights over all the kingdom, and every brave man, that

speedily he should come anon.

The Britons heard that, where they dwelt in the pits; in earth and in

stocks they hid them like badgers, in wood and in wilderness, in heath

and in fen, so that well nigh no man might find any Briton, except

they were in castle, or in burgh inclosed fast. When they heard of

this word, that Constantin was in the land, then came out of the

mountains many thousand men; they leapt out of the wood as if it were

deer. Many hundred thousand marched toward London, by street and by

weald all it forth pressed; and the brave women put on them men's

clothes, and they forth journeyed toward the army.

When the Earl Constantin saw all this folk come to him, then he was so

blithe as he was never before in life. Forth they took their way two

nights and a day, so that they came full truly to Melga and Wanis.

Together they rushed with stern strength, fought fiercely--the fated

fell! Ere the day were gone, slain was Wanis and Melgan, and Peohtes

enow, and Scots without number, Danes and Norwegians, Galloways and

Irish. The while that the day was light lasted ever this slaughter.

When it came to the eventime, then called the Earl Constantin, and

bade that guides should ride to the waters, and active men toward the

sea, for to guard them. A man should have seen the game, how the women

forth marched over woods and over fields, over hills and over dales.

Wheresoever they found any man escaped, that was with Melga the

heathen king, the women loud laughed, and tore him all in pieces, and

prayed for the soul, that never should good be to it. Thus the British

women killed many thousands, and thus they freed this kingdom of Wanis

and of Melga.

And Constantin the brave marched to Silchester, and held there his

husting of all his British thanes, all the Britons came to the

meeting, and took Constantin the noble, and made him king of Britain--

much was then the mirth that was among men. And afterwards they gave

him a wife, one wondrous fair, born of the highest, of Britain the

best of all. By this noble wife Constantin had in this land three

little sons. The first son had well nigh his father's name; Constantin

hight the king, Constance hight the child. When this child was waxed,

that it could ride, then his father caused him to be made a monk,

through counsel of wicked men, and the child was a monk in Winchester.

After him was born another, who was the middle brother, he was named

Aurelius, his surname hight Ambrosius. Then was last of all born a

child that was well disposed, he was named Uther, his virtues were

strong; he was the youngest brother, but he lived longer than the

others.

Guencelm the archbishop, who toward God was full good, took charge of

the two children, for love of the king. But alas! that their father

might live no longer!--for he had good laws the while that he lived;

but he was king here but twelve years, and then was the king

dead—-hearken now through what chance. He had in his house a Peoht,

fair knight and most brave; he fared with the king, and with all his

thanes by no other wise but as it were his brother. Then became he so

potent, to all his companions unlike; then thought he to betray

Constantin the powerful. He came before the king, and fell on his

knees, and thus lied the traitor before his lord: "Lord king, come

forthright, and speak with Cadal thy knight, and I will thee tell of

strange speeches, such as thou never ere on earth heardest."

Then arose the king Constantin, and went forth out with him. But alas!

that Constantin's knights knew it not! They proceeded so long forward

that they came in an orchard. Then said the traitor there: "Lord, be

we here." The traitor sat down, as if he would hold secret discourse,

and he approached to the king, as a man doth in whispering. He grasped

a knife very long, and the king therewith he pierced into the heart;

and he himself escaped--there the king dead lay, and the traitor fled

away.

The tidings came to court, how the king had fared; then was mickle

sorrow spread to the folk. Then were the Britons busy in thought, they

knew not through anything what they might have for king, for the

king's two sons, little they were both. Ambrosie could scarcely ride

on horse, and Uther, his brother, yet still sucked his mother; and

Constance the eldest was monk in Winchester; monk's clothes he had on,

as one of his companions. Then came to London all this landfolk, to

their husting, and to advise them of a king, what wise they might do,

and how they might take on, and which one of these children they might

have for king. Then chose this people Aurelie Ambrosie, to have for

king over them.

That heard Vortiger, a crafty man and most wary; among the earls he

stood, and firmly withstood it, and he thus said--sooth though it were

not: "I will advise you counsel with the best; abide a fortnight, and

come we eft right here, and I will say to you sooth words, so that

with your eyes ye shall see, and your while well bestow; this same

time we shall abide, and to our land the while ride, and hold amity

and hold peace, freely in land."

All the folk did as Vortiger deemed; and he himself went as if he

would go to his land, and turned right the way that into Winchester

lay. Vortiger had Welshland the half-part in his hand; forty knights

good he had in his retinue. He proceeded to Winchester, where he found

Constance, and spake with the abbot who governed the monastery where

Constance was monk, the king's son of Britain. He went into the

monastery with mild speech; he said that he would speak with

Constance. The abbot granted it to him, and he led him to the

speech-house. Thus spake Vortiger with the monk then there:

"Constance, hearken my counsel, for now is thy father dead. There is

Ambrosie thy brother, and Uther the other. Now have the elders, the

noblest in land, chosen Aurelie--his surname is Ambrosie--if they may

through all things they will make him king; and Uther, thy brother,

yet sucketh his mother. But I have opposed them, and think to withsay,

for I have been steward of all Britain's land, and earl I am potent,

unlike to my companions, and I have Welshland half part in my hand;

more I have alone than the others all clean. I am come to thee, for

dearest of men thou art to me; if thou wilt swear to me oaths, I will

take off thee these clothes, if thou wilt increase my land, and thy

counsel place in my hand, and make me thy steward over all Britain's

land, and through my counsel do all thy deeds, and if thou wilt pledge

me in hand, that I shall rule it all, I will through all things make

thee Britain's king." This monk sate well still, the speech went to

him at his will. Then answered the monk with much delight: "Well worth

thee, Vortiger, that thou art come here; if evermore cometh the day

that I may be king, all my counsel and all my land I will place in

thine hand, and all that thou wilt do, my men shall accept it. And

oaths I will swear to thee, that I will not deceive thee." Thus said

the monk; he mourned greatly how else it were, that he were monk; for

to him were black clothes wondrously odious. Vortiger was crafty and

wary--that he made known everywhere--he took a cape of a knight of

his, and on the monk he put it, and led him out of the place; he took

a swain anon, and the black clothes put on him, and held secret

discourse with the swain, as if it were the monk.

Monks passed upward, monks passed downward; they saw by the way the

swain with monk's clothes; the hood hanged down as if he hid his

crown; they all weened that it were their brother, who there sate so

sorry in the speech-house, in the daylight, among all the knights.

They came to their abbot, and greeted him in God's name: "Lord,

benedicite, we are come before thee, for strange it seemeth to us what

Vortiger thinketh in our speech-house, where he holdeth discourse,

throughout this day no monk may come therein, except Constance alone,

and the knights all clean. Sore we dread, that they him miscounsel."

Then answered the abbot; "Nay, but they counsel him good; they bid him

hold his hood (holy order), for now is his father dead." Vortiger

there abode the while Constance away rode. Vortiger up arose, from the

monastery departed, and all his knight out went forth-right.

The monks there ran thither anon, they weened to find Constance; when

they saw the clothes lie by the walls, then each to other lamented

their brother. The abbot leapt on horse, and after Vortiger rode, and

soon gan overtake the Earl Vortiger. Thus said the abbot to Vortiger

where he rode: "Say me, thou mad knight, why dost thou so great wrong?

Thou takest from us our brother,--leave him, and take the other. Take

Ambrosie the child, and make of him a king, and anger thou not Saint

Benedict, nor do thou to him any wrong!"

Vortiger heard this--he was crafty and very wary;--soon he came back,

and the abbot he took, and swore by his hand, that he would him hang,

unless he him pledged, that he would forthright unhood Constance the

king's son of this land, and for such need he should be king of this

country. The abbot durst no other, there he unhooded his brother, and

the child gave the abbot in hand twenty ploughlands, and afterwards

they proceeded forth into London. Vortiger the high forbade his

attendants, that they to no man should tell what they had in design.

Vortiger lay in London, until the same set day came, that the knights

of this land should come to husting.

At the day they came, many and numerous; they counselled, they

communed, the stern warriors, that they would have Ambrosie, and raise

for king; for Uther was too little--the yet he might suck--and

Constance was monk, who was eldest of them, and they would not for

anything make a monk king. Vortiger heard this, who was crafty and

most wary, and leapt on foot as if it were a lion. None of the Britons

there knew what Vortiger had done. He had in a chamber Constance the

dear, well bathed and clothed, and afterwards hid with twelve knights.

Then thus spake Vortiger--he was of craft wary: "Listen, lordings, the

while that I speak of kings. I was in Winchester, where I well sped, I

spake with the abbot, who is a holy man and good, and said him the

need that is come to this nation by Constantin's death--therefore he

is uneasy--and of Constance the child, that he had holden. And I bade

him for love of God, to take off the child's hood, and for such need

he should be king in the country. And the abbot took his counsel, and

did all that I bade him; and here I have his monks, who are good and

chief, who shall witness bear before you all. Lo! where here is the

same child, make we hereof a king, and here I hold the crown that

thereto behoveth, and whoso will this withsay, he shall it buy dear!"

Vortiger was most strong, the highest man of Britain, was there never

any so bold that his words durst deprecate. In the same town was the

archbishop dead, and there was no bishop that forth on his way did not

pass, nor monk nor any abbot, that he on his way did not ride, for

they durst not for fear of God do there the wrong, to take the monk

child, and make him Britain's king. Vortiger saw this--of all evil he

was well ware, up he gan to stand, the crown he took in hand, and he

set it upon Constance--that was to him in thought. Was there never any

man that might there do Christendom, that might do blessing upon the

king, but Vortiger alone did it clean for all! The beginning was

unfair, and also was the end, he deserted God's hood (holy order),

therefore he had sorrow! Thus was Constance king of this land, and

Vortiger was his steward.

Constance set all his kingdom in Vortiger's hand, and he did all in

the land, as he himself would. Then saw Vortiger--of much evil he was

ware--that Constance the king knew nothing of land (government?), for

he had not learnt ever any learning, except what a monk should perform

in his monastery. Vortiger saw that--the Worse was full nigh him!--oft

he bethought him what he might do, how he might with leasing please

the king. Now thou mayest hear, how this traitor gan him fare. The

best men of Britain were all dead, now were the king's brothers both

full little, and Guencehn the archbishop therebefore was dead, and

this land's king himself of the law knew nothing. Vortiger saw this,

and he came to the king, with mild speech his lord he gan greet: "Hail

be thou, Constance, Britain's lord! I am come thus nigh thee for much

need, for to say to thee tidings that are come to land, of very great

danger. Now thee behoveth might, now weapons behove thee to defend thy

country. Here are chapmen arrived from other lands, as it is the

custom; they have brought to me toll for their goods, and they have

told me and plighted troth, that the King of Norway will newly fare

hither, and the Danish king these Danes will seek, and the King of

Russia, sternest of all knights, and the King of Gothland with host

most strong, and the King of Frise--therefore it alarmeth me. The

tidings are evil that are come to land; herefore I am most adread, for

I know no good counsel, unless we may with might send after knights,

that are good and strong, and that are well able in land, and fill thy

castles with keen men, and so thou mightest defend thy kingdom against

foreigners, and maintain thy worship with high strength. For there is

no kingdom, so broad nor so long, that will not soon be taken if there

are too few warriors."

Then answered the king--of land he knew nothing--"Vortiger, thou art

steward over all Britain's land, and thou shalt it rule after thy

will. Send after knights that are good in fight; and take all in thine

hand, my castles and my land, and do all thy will, and I will be

still, except the single thing, that I will be called king."

Then laughed Vortiger--he was of evil most ware--was he never so

blithe ere in his life! Vortiger took leave, and forth he gan pass,

and so he proceeded through all Britain's land, all the castles and

all the land he set in his own hand, and the fealty he took ever where

he came. And so he took his messengers, and sent to Scotland, and

ordered the Peohtes, the knights best of all, three hundred to come to

him, and he would well do to them. And the knights came to him

thereafter well soon; thus spake the traitorous man: "Knights, ye are

welcome. I have in my hand all this regal land, with me ye shall go,

and I will you love, and I will you bring before our king; ye shall

have silver and gold, the best horses of this land, clothes, and fair

wives; your will I will perform Ye shall be to me dear, for the

Britons are hateful to me, loud and still I will do your will, if ye

will in land hold me for lord." Then forth-right answered the knights

"We will do all thy will," and they gan proceed to Constance the king.

To the king came Vortiger--of evil he was well ware--and said him of--

had done--"And here I have the Peohtes, who shall be household

knights; and I have most well stored all thy castles, and these

foreign knights shall before us fight." The king commended all as

Vortiger purposed, but alas! that the king knew nothing of his

thoughts, nor of his treachery, that he did soon thereafter! These

knights were in court highly honoured, full two years with the king

they dwelt there, and Vortiger the steward was lord of them all. Ever

he said that the Britons were not of use, but he said that the Peohtes

were good knights. Ever were the Britons deprived of goods, and the

Peohtes wielded all that they would. They had drink, they had meat,

they had eke much bliss. Vortiger granted them all that they would,

and was to them as dear as their own life; so that they all spake,

where they ate their meat, that Vortiger were worthy to govern this

realm throughout all things, better than three such kings! Vortiger

gave these men very much treasure.

Then befell it on a day, that Vortiger lay at his inn; he took his two

knights and sent after the Peohtes, bade them come here, for they all

should eat there. Forth-right the knights came to him, to his inn, he

tried them with words as they sate at the board, he caused draughts to

be brought them of many kinds of drinks, they drank, they revelled,

the day there forth passed. When they were so drunk that their shanks

weakened, then spake Vortiger what he had previously thought: "Hearken

now to me, knights, I will say to you forth-right of my mickle sorrow

that I for you have mourned. The king delivered me this land for to be

his steward. Ye are to me liefest of all men alive, but I have not

wealth to give my knights, for this king possesses all this land, and

he is young and also strong, and all I must yield to him that I take

of his land, and if I destroy his goods, I shall suffer the law, and

mine own wealth I have spent, because I would please you. And now I

must depart hence far to some king, serve him with peace, and gain

wealth with him; I may not for much shame have here this abode, but

forth I must go to foreign lands And if the day shall ever come that I

may acquire wealth, and I may so well thrive, that ye come in the land

where I am, I will well reward you with much worship. And have now all

good day, for to-night I will go away, it is a great doubt whether ye

see me evermore"--These knights knew not what the traitor thought

Vortiger was treacherous, for here he betrayed his lord, and the

knights held it for sooth, what the traitor said Vortiger ordered his

swains to saddle his steeds, and named twelve men to lead with

himself, to horse they went as if they would depart from the land.

The Peohtes saw that--the drunken knights--how Vortiger would depart,

herefore they had much care, they went to counsel, they went to

communing, all they lamented their life exceedingly, because Vortiger

was so dear to them And thus said the Peohtes, the drunken knights:

"What may we now in counsel? who shall us now advise? who shall us

feed, who shall us clothe, who shall be our lord at court? Now

Vortiger is gone, we all must depart,--we will not for anything have a

monk for king! But we will do well, forth-right go we to him, secretly

and still, and do all our will, into his chamber, and drink of his

beer When we have drunk, loudly revel we, and some shall go to the

door, and with swords stand therebefore, and some forth-right take the

king and his knights, and smite off the heads of them, and we

ourselves have the court, and cause soon our lord Vortiger to be

overtaken, and afterwards through all things raise him to be

king;—-then may we live as to us is befest of all."

The knights proceeded to the king forth-right; they all went

throughout the hall into the king's chamber, where he sate by the fire

There was none that spake a word except Gille Callæt; thus he spake

with the king whom he there thought to betray: "Listen to me now,

monarch, I will nothing lie to thee We have been in court highly

honoured through thy steward, who hath governed all this land, he hath

us well fed, he hath us well clothed And in sooth I may say to thee,

with him we ate now to day, but sore it us grieveth, we had nought to

drink, and now we are in thy chamber give us drink of thy beer" Then

gave the king answer "That shall be your least care, for ye shall have

to drink the while that you think good" Men brought them drink, and

they gan to revel, thus said Gille Callæt--at the door he was full

active "Where be ye, knights? Bestir you forth right!" And they seized

the king, and smote off his head, and all his knights they slew

forth-right And took a messenger, and sent toward London, that he

should ride quickly after Vortiger, that he should come speedily, and

take the kingdom, for that he should know through all things, slain

was Constance the king. Vortiger heard that, who was traitor full

secret; thus he ordered the messenger back forth-right anon, and bade

them "well to keep all our worship that never one depart out of the

place, but all abide me, until that I arrive, and so I will divide

this land among us all."

Forth went the messenger, and Vortiger took anon and sent over London,

and ordered them quickly and full soon, that they all should come to

husting. When the burgh-men were come, who were most bold, then spake

Vortiger, who was traitor full secret,--much he gan to weep, and

sorrowfully to sigh, but it was in his head, and not in his heart.

Then asked him the burgh-men, who were most bold. "Lord Vortiger, what

is that thou mournest? Thou art no woman so sore to weep." Then

answered Vortiger, who was traitor full secret: "I will tell you

piteous speeches, of much calamity that is come to the land. I have

been in this realm your king's steward, and spoken with him, and loved

him as my life. But he would not at the end any counsel approve, he

loved the Peohtes, the foreign knights, and he would not do good to

us, nor anywhere fair receive, but to them he was gracious, ever in

their lives I might not of the king have remuneration (or wages), I

spent my wealth, the while that it lasted, and afterwards I took leave

to go to my land, and when I had my tribute, come again to court. When

the Peohtes saw that the king had no knights, nor ever any kind of man

that would aught for them do, they took their course into the king's

chamber I say you through all things, they have slain the king, and

think to destroy this kingdom and us all, and will forth-right make

them king of a Peoht. But I was his steward, avenge I will my lord,

and every brave man help me to do that. On I will with my gear, and

forth-right I will go."

Thirty hundred knights marched out of London; they rode and they ran,

forth with Vortiger, until they approached where the Peohtes dwelt.

And he took one of his knights, and sent to the Peohtes, and said to

them that he came, if they would him receive. The Peohtes were blithe

for their murder (that they had committed), and they took their good

gear—-there was neither shield nor spear Vortiger weaponed all his

knights forth right, and the Peohtes there came, and brought the head

of the king. When Vortiger saw this head, then fell he full nigh to

the ground, as if he had grief most of all men, with his countenance

he gan he, but his heart was full blithe. Then said Vortiger, who was

traitor full secret: "Every brave man lay on them with sword, and

avenge well in the land the sorrow of our lord!" None they captured,

but all they them slew; and proceeded to the inn, into Winchester, and

slew their swains, and their chamber-servants, their cooks, and their

boys, all they deprived of life-day. Thus faired the tidings of

Constance the king.

And the worldly-wise men took charge of the other children; for they

had care of Vortiger they took Ambrosie and Uther, and led them over

sea, into the Less Britain, and delivered them fairly to Biduz the

king. And he them fairly received, for he was their kin and their

friend, and with much joy the children he brought up; and so well many

years with him they were there.

Vortiger in this land was raised to be king; all the strong burghs

stood in his hand; five-and-twenty years he was king here. He was mad,

he was wild, he was cruel, he was bold; of all things he had his will,

except the Peohtes were never still, but ever they advanced over the

north end, and afflicted this kingdom with prodigious harm, and

avenged their kin enow, whom Vortiger slew here.

In the meantime came tidings into this land, that Aurelie was knight,

who was named Ambrosie, and also was Uther, good knight and most wary,

and would come to this land, and lead an army most strong. This was

many times a saying oft repeated; oft came these tidings to Vortiger

the king; therefore it oft shamed him, and his heart angered, for men

said it everywhere:--"Now will come Ambrosie and Uther, and will

avenge soon Constance, the king of this land; there is no other

course, avenge they will their brother, and slay Vortiger, and burn

him to dust; thus they will set all this land in their own hand!" So

spake each day all that passed by the way.

Vortiger bethought him what he might do, and thought to send

messengers into other lands, after foreign knights, who might him

defend; and thought to be wary against Ambrosie and Uther.

In the meantime came tidings to Vortiger the king, that over sea were

come men exceeding strange; in the Thames to land they were come;

three ships good came with the flood, therein three hundred knights,

kings as it were, without (besides) the shipmen who were there within.

These were the fairest men that ever here came, but they were

heathens--that was the more harm! Vortiger sent to them, and asked how

they were disposed (their business); if they sought peace, and recked

of his friendship? They answered wisely, as well they knew, and said

that they would speak with the king, and lovingly him serve, and hold

him for lord; and so they gan wend forth to the king. Then was

Vortiger the king in Canterbury, where he with his court nobly

diverted themselves; there these knights came before the sovereign. As

soon as they met him, they greeted him fair, and said that they would

serve him in this land, if he would them with right retain. Then

answered Vortiger--of each evil he was ware--"In all my life that I

have lived, by day nor by night saw I never ere such knights; for your

arrival I am blithe, and with me ye shall remain, and your will I will

perform, by my quick life! But first I would of you learn, through

your sooth worship, what knights ye be, and whence ye are come, and

whether ye will be true, old and eke new?"

Then answered the one who was the eldest brother: "Listen to me now,

lord king, and I will make known to you what knights we are, and

whence we are come. I hight Hengest; Hors is my brother; we are of

Alemaine, a land noblest of all, of the same end that Angles is named.

In our land are strange tidings; after fifteen years the folk is

assembled, all our nation-folk, and cast their lots; upon whom that it

falleth, he shall depart from the land. The five shall remain, the

sixth shall forth proceed out of the country to a foreign land; be he

man ever so loved, he shall forth depart. For there is folk very much,

more than they would desire; the women go there with child as the wild

deer, every year they bear child there! That is fallen on us, that we

should depart; we might not remain, for life nor for death, nor for

ever anything, for fear of the sovereign. Thus we fared there, and

therefore are we now here, to seek under heaven land and good lord.

Now thou hast heard, lord king, sooth of us through all things." Then

answered Vortiger—-of each evil he was ware—-"I believe thee, knight,

that thou sayest to me right sooth. And what are your creeds, that ye

in believe, and your dear god, whom ye worship?" Then answered

Hengest, fairest of all knights—-in all this kingdom is not a knight

so tall nor so strong:—-"We have good gods, whom we love in our mind,

whom we have hope in, and serve them with might. The one hight Phebus;

the second Saturnus; the third hight Woden, who is a mighty god; the

fourth hight Jupiter, of all things he is aware; the fifth hight

Mercurius, who is the highest over us; the sixth hight Appolin, who is

a god brave; the seventh hight Tervagant, a high god in our land. Yet

(in addition) we have a lady, who is high and mighty, high she is and

holy, therefore courtiers love her--she is named Frea--well she them

treateth. But among all our dear gods whom we shall serve, Woden had

the highest law in our elders' days; he was dear to them even as their

life, he was their ruler, and did to them worship; the fourth day in

the week they gave him for his honour. To the Thunder (Jupiter) they

gave Thursday, because that it may help them; to Frea, their lady,

they gave her Friday; to Saturnus they gave Saturday; to the Sun they

gave Sunday; to the Moon they gave Monday; to Tidea they gave

Tuesday." Thus said Hengest, fairest of all knights. Then answered

Vortiger—-of each evil he was ware--"Knights, ye are dear to me, but

these tidings are loathsome to me; your creeds are wicked, ye believe

not on Christ, but ye believe on the Worse, whom God himself cursed;

your gods are of nought, in hell they lie beneath. But nevertheless I

will retain you in my power, for northward are the Peohtes, knights

most brave, who oft into my land lead host most strong, and oft do me

much shame, and therefore I have grief. And if ye will me avenge, and

procure me their heads, I will give you land, much silver and gold."

Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights: "If Saturnus so will

it, and Woden, our lord, on whom we believe, it shall all thus be!"

Hengest took leave, and gan wend to his ships; there was many a strong

knight; they drew their ships upon the land. Forth went the warriors

to Vortiger the king; Hengest went before, and Hors, next of all to

him; then the Alemainish men, who were noble in deeds; and afterwards

they sent to him (Vortiger) their brave Saxish knights, Hengest's

kinsmen, of his old race. They came into hall, fairly all; better were

clothed and better were fed Hengest's swains, than Vortiger's thanes!

Then was Vortiger's court held in contempt! the Britons were sorry for

such a sight.

It was no whit long before five knights' sons who had travelled

quickly came to the king; they said to the king new tidings: "Now

forth-right the Peohtes are come; through thy land they run, and

harry, and burn, and all the north end fell to the ground; hereof thou

must advise thee, or we all shall be dead." The king bethought him

what he might do, he sent to the inn, after all his men. There came

Hengest, there came Hors, there came many a man full brave; there came

the Saxish men, Hengest's kinsmen, and the Alemainish knights, who are

good in fight. The King Vortiger saw this; blithe was he then there.

The Peohtes did, as was their custom, on this side of the Humber they

were come. And the King Vortiger of their coming was full aware;

together they came (encountered), and many there slew; there was fight

most strong, combat most stern! The Peohtes were oft accustomed to

overcome Vortiger, and so they thought then to do, but it befell then

in other wise, for it was safety to them (the Britons) that Hengest

was there, and the strong knights who came from Saxland, and the brave

Alemainish, who came thither with Hors, for very many Peohtes they

slew in the fight; fiercely they fought, the fated fell! When the noon

was come, then were the Peohtes overcome, and quickly away they fled,

on each side they forth fled, and all day they fled, many and without

number. The King Vortiger went back to lodging, and ever were nigh to

him Hors and Hengest. Hengest was dear to the king, and to him he gave

Lindesey, and he gave Hors treasures enow, and all their knights he

treated exceeding well, and thus a good time it stood in the same

wise. The Peohtes durst never come into the land, no robbers nor

outlaws, that they were not soon slain; and Hengest exceeding fairly

served the king.

Then befell it on a time, that the king was very blithe, on a

high-day, among his people. Hengest bethought him what he might do,

for he would hold secret discourse with the king; he went before the

king, and gan greet fair. The king up stood, and set him by himself;

they drank, they revelled--bliss was among them. Then quoth Hengest to

the king: "Lord, hearken tidings, and I will tell thee of secret

discourse, if thou wilt well listen to my advice, and not hold in

wrath what I well teach." And the king answered as Hengest would it.

Then said Hengest, fairest of all knights: "Lord, I have many a day

advanced thy honour, and been thy faithful man in thy rich court, and

in each fight the highest of thy knights. And I have often heard

anxious whisperings among thy courtiers; they hate thee exceedingly,

unto the bare death, if they it durst show. Oft they speak stilly, and

discourse with whispers, of two young men, that dwell far hence; the

one hight Uther, the other Ambrosie--the third hight Constance who was

king in this land, and he here was slain through traitorous usage. The

others will now come, and avenge their brother, all consume thy land,

and slay thy people, thyself and thy folk drive out of land. And thus

say thy men, where they sit together, because the twain brothers are

both royally born, of Androein's race, these noble Britons; and thus

thy folk stilly condemn thee. But I will advise thee of thy great

need, that thou procure knights that are good in fight; and give to me

a castle, or a royal burgh, that I may be in, the while that I live.

For I am for thee hated--therefore I ween to be dead, fare wherever I

fare, I am never without care, unless I be fast inclosed in a castle.

If thou wilt do this for me, I will it receive with love, and quickly

I will send after my wife, who is a Saxish woman, of wisdom excellent,

and after my daughter Rowenne, who is most dear to me. When I have my

wife, and my kinsmen, and I am in thy land fully settled, the better I

will serve thee, if thou grantest me this." Then answered Vortiger--of

each evil he was ware--"Take quickly knights, and send after thy wife,

and after thy children, the young and the old, and after thy kin, and

receive them with joy; when they to thee come, thou shalt have riches

to feed them nobly, and worthily to clothe them. But I will not give

to thee any castle or burgh, for men would reproach me in my kingdom,

for ye hold the heathen law that stood in your elders' days, and we

hold Christ's law, and will ever in our days." The yet spake Hengest,

fairest of all knights: "Lord, I will perform thy will, here and over

all, and do all my deeds after thy counsel. Now will I speedily send

after my wife, and after my daughter, who is to me very dear, and

after brave men, the best of my kin. And thou give me so much land, to

stand in mine own hand, as a bull's hide will each way overspread, far

from each castle, amidst a field. Then nor the poor nor the rich may

blame thee, that thou hast given any noble burgh to a heathen man."

And the king granted him as Hengest yearned.

Hengest took leave, and forth he gan pass, and after his wife he sent

messengers, to his own land, and he himself went over this land, to

seek a broad field whereon he might well spread his fair hide. He came

to a spot, in a fair field, he had obtained a hide to his need, of a

wild bull that was wondrously strong. He had a wise man, who well knew

of craft, who took this hide, and laid it on a board, and whet his

shears, as if he would shear. Of the hide he carved a thong, very

small and very long, the thong was not very broad, but as it were a

thread of twine; when the thong was all slit, it was wondrously long,

about therewith he encompassed a great deal of land. He began to dig a

ditch very mickle, there upon a stone wall, that was strong over all,

a burgh he areared, mickle and lofty. When the burgh was all ready,

then shaped he to it a name, he named it full truly Kaer-Carrai in

British, and English knights they called it Thongchester. Now and

evermore the name standeth there, and for no other adventure had the

burgh the name, until that Danish men came, and drove out the Britons;

the third name they set there, and Lanecastel (Lancaster) it named;

and for such events the town had these three names.

In the meantime arrived hither Hengest's wife with her ships; she had

for companions fifteen hundred riders; with her came, to wit, mickle

good ships; therein came much of Hengest's kin, and Rowenne, his

daughter, who was to him most dear. It was after a while, that that

time came, that the burgh was completed with the best of all. And

Hengest came to the king, and asked him to a banquet, and said that he

had prepared an inn against him (his coming) and bade that he should

come thereto, and he should be fairly received. And the king granted

him as Hengest it would.

It came to the time that the king gan forth proceed, with the dearest

men of all his folk; forth he gan proceed until he came to the burgh.

He beheld the wall up and down over all; all it liked him well, that

he on looked. He went into the hall, and all his knights with him;

trumps they blew, games men gan to call, boards they ordered to be

spread, knights sate thereat, they ate, they drank, joy was in the

burgh!—-when the folk had eaten, then was the better befallen to them.

Hengest went into the inn, where Rowenne dwelt; he caused her to be

clad with excessive pride; all the clothes that she had on, they were

most excellent, they were good with the best, embroidered with gold.

She bare in her hand a golden bowl, filled with wine, that was one

wondrous good. High-born men led her into the hall before the king,

fairest of all things! Rouwenne sate on her knee, and called to the

king, and thus first she said in English land: "Lord king, wassail!

for thy coming I am glad." The king this heard, and knew not what she

said, the King Vortiger asked his knights soon, what were the speech

that the maid spake. Then answered Keredic, a knight most admirable;

he was the best interpreter that ere came here: "Listen to me now, my

lord king, and I will make known to thee what Rowenne saith, fairest

of all women. It is the custom in Saxland, wheresoever any people make

merry in drink, that friend sayeth to his friend, with fair comely

looks, 'Dear friend, wassail!'--the other sayeth, 'Drinchail!' The

same that holds the cup, he drinketh it up; another full cup men

thither bring, and give to his comrade. When the full cup is come,

then kiss they thrice. These are the good customs in Saxland, and in

Alemaine they are accounted noble!"

Vortiger heard this—-of each evil he was ware--and said it in British,

for he knew no English: "Maiden Rouwenne, drink then blithely!" The

maid drank up the wine, and let do (put) other wine therein, and gave

to the king, and thrice him kissed. And through the same people the

custom came to this land of Wassail and Drinchail—-many a man thereof

is glad' Rouwenne the fair sate by the king; the king beheld her

longingly, she was dear to him in heart, oft he kissed her, oft he

embraced her; all his mind and his might inclined towards the maiden.

The Worse was there full nigh, who in each game is full cruel; the

Worse who never did good, he troubled the king's mood; he mourned full

much, to have the maiden for wife. That was a most loathly thing, that

the Christian king should love the heathen maid, to the harm of his

people! The maiden was dear to the king, even as his own life; he

prayed to Hengest, his chieftain, that he should give him the

maid-child. Hengest found in his counsel to do what the king asked

him; he gave him Rouwenne, the woman most fair. To the king it was

pleasing; he made her queen, all after the laws that stood in the

heathen days; was there no Christendom, where the king took the maid,

nor priest, nor any bishop, nor was God's book ever handled, but in

the heathen fashion he wedded her, and brought her to his bed' Maiden

he had her, and ample gift bestowed on her; when he had disgraced

himself on her, he gave her London and Kent.

The king had three sons, who were men exceeding fair; the eldest hight

Vortimer,--Pascent, and Catiger. Garengan was an earl, who possessed

Kent long, and his father before him, and he afterwards through his

kin (by inheritance), when he best weened to hold his land, then had

it the queen, and Hengest in his hand; strange it seemed to the

knight, what the king thought. The king loved the heathens and harmed

the Christians, the heathens had all this land to rule under their

hand, and the king's three sons oft suffered sorrow and care. Their

mother was then dead, therefore they had the less counsel--their

mother was a woman most good, and led a life very Christian, and their

stepmother was heathen, Hengest's daughter.

It was not long but a while, that the king made a feast, exceeding

great, the heathens he brought thereto, he weened most well to do;

thither came thanes, knights and swains. And all that knew of book

(the Christians) forsook the feast, for the heathen men were highest

in the court, and the Christian fold was held for base; the heathens

were blithe, for the king loved them greatly. Hengest bethought him

what he might do; he came to the king, with a hailing (salutation),

and drank to the king. Then thus spake Hengest, fairest of all knights

who lived of heathen law in those days: "Hearken to me now, lord king,

thou art to me dear through all things; thou hast my daughter, who is

to me very dear, and I am to thee among folk as if I were thy father.

Hearken to my instruction, it shall be to thee lief, for I wish

chiefly to help counsel thee. Thy court hate thee on my account, and I

am detested for thee, and thee hate kings, earls and thanes; they fare

in thy land with a host exceeding strong. If thou wilt avenge thee

with much worship, and do woe to thy enemies, send after my son Octa,

and after another, Ebissa, his wed-brother. These are the noblest men

that ever led army; and give them of thy land in the north end. They

are of mickle might, and strong in fight; they will defend thy land

well with the best; then mightest thou in joy thy life all spend, with

hawks and with hounds court-play love; needest thou never have care of

foreign people." Then answered Vortiger--of each evil he was

ware--"Send thy messengers into Saxland, after thy son Octa, and after

thy friends more. Cause him to know well, that he send his writs after

all the knights that are good in fight, over all Saxland, that they

come to my need, and though he bring ten thousand men, all they shall

be welcome to me." Hengest heard this, fairest of all knights, then

was he so blithe as he was never in his life.

Hengest sent his messengers into Saxland, and bade Octa come, and his

wed-brother Ebissa, and all of their kindred that they might gain, and

all the knights that they might get. Octa sent messengers over three

kingdoms, and bade each brave man speedily to come to him, who would

obtain land, or silver or gold. They came soon to the army, as hail

that falleth, that was to wit, with three hundred ships. Forth went

with Octa thirty thousand and eke more, brave men and keen; and

Ebissa, his companion, afterwards arrived with numberless folk, and he

led to wit an hundred and fifty ships; thereafter arrived five and

five, by six, by seven, by ten, and by eleven; and thus the heathen

warriors they arrived toward this land, to the court of this king, so

that this land was so full of foreign people, that there was no man so

wise, nor so quick-witted, that might separate the Christians and the

heathens, for the heathens were so rife, and ever they speedily came!

When the Britons saw that sorrow was in the land, therefore they were

sorry, and in their heart dreary, and proceeded to the king, the

highest of this land, and thus to him said with sorrowful voice:

"Listen to us, lord king, of our discourse; thou art through us (by

our means) bold king in this Britain, and thou hast procured to thee

harm and much sin; brought heathen folk--yet it may thee harm;--and

thou forsakest God's law, for foreign folk, and wilt not worship our

Lord, for these heathen knights. And we would pray thee, for all God's

peace, that thou leave them, and drive from thy land. If thou else

(otherwise) mightest not, we will make mickle fight, and drive them

from land, or fell them down, or we ourselves will lie slain, and let

the heathen folk hold this realm, possess it with joy, if they may it

win. And if they all are heathen, and thou alone Christian, they will

never long have thee for king, except thou in thy days receive the

heathen law, and desert the high God, and praise their idols. Then

shalt thou perish in this world's realm, and thy wretched soul sink to

hell; then hast thou dearly bought the love of thy bride!" Then

answered Vortiger--of each evil he was ware:--"I will not leave them,

by my quick life! For Hengest is hither come, he is my father, and I

his son; and I have for mistress his daughter Rouwenne, and I have

wedded her, and had in my bed, and afterwards I sent after Octa, and

after more of his companions;--how might I for shame shun them so

soon, and drive from land my dear friends?" Then answered the Britons,

with sorrow bound: "We will nevermore obey thy commands, nor come to

thy court, nor hold thee for king, but we will hate thee with great

strength, and all thine heathen friends with harm greet. Be Christ

now, that is God's son, our help!" Forth went the earls, forth went

the lords, forth went the bishops, and the book-learned men, forth

went the thanes, forth went the swains, all the Britons, until they

came to London.

There was many a noble Briton at the husting, and the king's three

sons they all were come thither; there was Vortimer, Pascent, and

Catiger, and very many others, that came with the brothers; all the

folk came thither, that loved the Christendom. And all the rich men

betook them to counsel, and took the king's eldest son, who was come

to the husting, and with mickle song of praise elevated him to be

king. Then was Vortimer Christian king there, and Vortiger, his

father, followed the heathens. All thus it happened, as the counsel

was done.

And Vortimer, the young king, was most keen through all things; he

sent Hengest and Hors his brother, unless speedily they departed from

this realm, he would evil do to them, both blind and hang them; and

his own father he would destroy, and all the heathens, with great

strength. Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights: "Here we will

dwell winter and summer, ride and run with the King Vortiger; and all

that with Vortimer go, they shall have sorrow and care!" Vortimer

heard that--he was wise and most wary--and caused a host to be

assembled over all this land, that all the Christian folk should come

to his court. Vortimer, the young king, in London held his husting;

the king ordered each man that loved the Christendom, that they all

should hate the heathens, and bring the heads of them to Vortimer the

king, and have twelve pennies for reward, for his good deed. Vortimer

the young marched out of London, and Pascent, his brother, and

Catiger, the other; to them was come word, that Hengest lay at

Epiford, upon the water that men name Darwent. There came together

sixty thousand men; on one half was Vortimer, Pascent, and Catiger,

and all the folk that loved our Lord; on the other half were chiefs

with Vortiger the king, Hengest and his brother, and many thousand

others. Together they came, and combated with might; there fell to the

ground two and thirty hundred of Hengest's men; and Hors was wounded.

Catiger came there, and with his spear ran him through, and Hors

forth-right there wounded Catiger. And Hengest gan to flee with all

his followers, and Vortiger the king fled forth as the wind; they flew

forth into Kent, and Vortimer went after them; there upon the seashore

Hengest suffered pain; there they gan to halt, and fought very long;

five thousand there were slain, and deprived of lifeday, of Vortiger's

men, of the heathen race.

Hengest bethought him what he might do; he saw there beside a haven

very large, many good ships there stood in the sea-flood. They saw on

their right hand an island exceeding fair, it is called Thanet;

thitherward they were brisk; there the Saxish men sought the sea, and

anon gan pass into the island. And the Britons followed after them,

with many kind of crafts, and surrounded them on each side; with ships

and with boats they gan to smite and shoot. Oft was Hengest woe, and

never worse than then; unless he did other counsel he should there be

dead. He took a spear-shaft, that was long and very tough, and put on

the end a fair mantle, and called to the Britons, and bade them abide;

he would speak with them, and yearn the king's grace, and send

Vortiger with peace to the land, to make this agreement that he might

depart without more shame into Saxland.