The Saxons & Vikings
Gildas, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, saints' lives, poetry, archaelogical findings and place-
name studies. British landlords ruled small, unstable kingdoms and continued some Roman
traditions of governance.
In the mid-5th cent, Vertigern, a British leader, hired Germanic mercenaries to help defend
against peoples of the north (Picts & Scots). In the end they revolted & the process of
invasion and settlement began. The first Saxon ,,kings" were Hengist & Horsa in Kent, Aelle
in Sussex, Cerdic / Cynric in Wessex. So the first ,,English" became mainly from Northern
Germany & Denmark.
The resistance of the Celts was long. They were free at the time, not like other Roman
provinces on the Continent.
Around 500, the Britons seem to have won several victories. One of their leaders was
Ambrosius Aurelianus and one of their victories was at the place called Mount Badon. The
main leader of the Britons at this time may have been the warrior later called King Arthur.
By the 7th cent
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