OCR Specification focus:
‘The first Saxons, including Vortigern, Hengist and Horsa c.450; Mons Badonicus.’
The arrival of the Saxons in Britain transformed politics, society, and culture, shaping early medieval kingdoms and culminating in legendary battles such as Mons Badonicus.
Early Saxon Settlement in Britain
Background and Migration
The collapse of Roman rule in Britain around 410 CE created a power vacuum. With weakened defences and declining urban infrastructure, native Britons faced increasing threats from Picts, Scots, and internal instability. Into this context came the Saxons, a Germanic people originally from northern continental Europe.
The Saxons, Angles, and Jutes migrated in stages from c. 450 CE.
“Britain 400–500: Anglo-Saxon Homelands and Settlements.” This map shows the continental homelands of the Saxons, Angles, and Jutes, and their early settlement corridors into Britain. It slightly exceeds the syllabus by including continental origins, but this directly supports the focus on ‘The first Saxons … c.450’. Source
They were initially invited to Britain as foederati (mercenary allies) to help defend against northern raiders.
Gradually, these groups settled permanently, establishing the foundations of early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
Vortigern and the Saxon Invitation
Vortigern, a British ruler, plays a key role in traditional accounts of this migration.
Vortigern: A semi-legendary British leader, remembered for inviting Saxon mercenaries to Britain around 450 CE to defend against external threats.
According to sources like Bede and later Nennius, Vortigern invited the brothers Hengist and Horsa, reputed Saxon chieftains, to assist him militarily.
Hengist and Horsa arrived with warriors, strengthening defences against Pictish and Irish raids.
Soon, conflict arose as Saxon demands for land and supplies grew, sparking tension with native Britons.
These events mark the beginning of Saxon dominance in south-east England.
Hengist and Horsa: Saxon Leaders
Leadership and Settlement
Hengist and Horsa are depicted as the founders of early Saxon power in Britain.
They were granted land in Kent by Vortigern as reward for service.
As tensions escalated, their settlement expanded beyond Kent, clashing with native rulers.
Tradition credits Horsa’s death in battle, leaving Hengist to consolidate power.
Hengist: Legendary Saxon leader, associated with establishing the Kingdom of Kent and spearheading Saxon dominance after his brother’s death.
While evidence for their exact roles is debated, they symbolise the Germanic foothold in Britain, paving the way for later Saxon kingdoms.
The Wider Saxon Origins
Germanic Traditions and Identity
The Saxons were part of a broader cultural group including Angles and Jutes. Their identity in Britain reflected both migration and assimilation:
They brought distinct pagan beliefs, burial practices, and language (Old English).
Settlements were rural and tribal, often clustering around strong leaders.
Their military organisation emphasised loyalty to a warband and personal ties of lordship.
This period represents the fusion of Germanic and British cultures, with Saxons gradually dominating the political landscape.
Mons Badonicus: A Turning Point
The Battle
The Battle of Mons Badonicus (c. 490–516 CE, date uncertain) was a major confrontation between native Britons and Saxon invaders. Although its precise location remains unknown, it is consistently presented as a decisive moment.
“Southern Britain in the early 6th century showing emerging Romano-British polities and Anglo-Saxon territories.” This map contextualises Mons Badonicus by illustrating the frontier between Britons and Saxons. Extra detail is included, such as conjectural tribal labels, but this aids orientation. Source
Fought between the Britons, possibly under the leadership of Ambrosius Aurelianus or a proto-Arthur figure, and advancing Saxons.
Resulted in a significant British victory, halting Saxon expansion for several decades.
Marked a period of relative peace and recovery for Romano-British communities.
Mons Badonicus: A major battle between Britons and Saxons, c. 500 CE, remembered for halting Saxon advances and preserving native control temporarily.
Significance of the Victory
The consequences of Mons Badonicus were considerable:
Delayed Saxon dominance, granting Britons a reprieve.
Allowed continuation of Romano-British culture, law, and Christian practice in some regions.
Became central to later legends of King Arthur, symbolising heroic resistance.
Although Saxon settlements persisted, their expansion slowed until renewed advances in the 6th century.
Sources and Interpretations
Gildas
The monk Gildas, writing in the 6th century, provides the earliest reference to Saxon settlement and Mons Badonicus. He described the Saxons as a “scourge” sent as divine punishment. His account, though biased and moralising, forms a crucial early record.
Bede
The 8th-century historian Bede used earlier traditions to portray the arrival of Hengist and Horsa. He emphasised the providential role of Christianity in later Saxon history, framing their pagan origins as a contrast to eventual conversion.
Archaeological Evidence
Material remains complement these literary accounts:
Burial sites show Germanic weaponry and jewellery, indicating cultural integration.
Settlement archaeology reveals patterns of rural farmsteads, supporting migration narratives.
Finds across Kent and Sussex correspond to early Saxon presence.
The Foundations of Anglo-Saxon Kingship
From Mercenaries to Rulers
The transition from invited warriors to autonomous rulers underlines the rapid rise of Saxon authority. Early leaders like Hengist laid groundwork for later kingdoms, including Kent, Sussex, and Wessex.
Importance for Kingship Development
Early Saxon leaders embodied the principle of kingship through military success and landholding.
Success in battles like Mons Badonicus determined whether rulers could maintain dominance.
The legacy of these figures shaped the political landscape of the Heptarchy in later centuries.
Through conflict and settlement, the Saxons created the structures that would define early medieval Britain.
FAQ
The Roman departure in 410 CE left Britain vulnerable, with no central authority or professional army. Local leaders struggled to defend against raids from Picts and Irish, leading to political instability.
This context made Britain an attractive destination for Saxon settlers, who could provide military support while also gaining land. The lack of unified defence structures allowed them to establish strong footholds relatively quickly.
While both brothers are credited with leading the first Saxon groups, Horsa’s death in battle limited his role in long-term settlement. Hengist, however, became associated with the founding of Kent.
Later sources emphasise Hengist’s political influence and dynastic legacy, presenting him as a more enduring figure. His leadership gave later kings of Kent legitimacy, strengthening his reputation in Anglo-Saxon memory.
Saxon settlements were typically small, rural, and clustered around kinship groups, unlike the more urban Romano-British tradition.
Houses were often timber-built, sunken-floor huts (grubenhäuser).
Settlements emphasised farming and livestock rather than trade-based towns.
Their distribution suggests a gradual takeover of fertile lowland areas, especially in the south-east.
These differences underline how migration reshaped Britain’s landscape and social organisation.
The site of Mons Badonicus remains debated, with several possible locations proposed:
Solsbury Hill near Bath – popular due to strategic position near Roman roads.
Badbury Rings in Dorset – an Iron Age hillfort with evidence of activity in the period.
Liddington Castle near Swindon – another hillfort linked to battle traditions.
The lack of archaeological confirmation means the battle’s geography remains speculative, but all suggested sites are in southern Britain.
The primary sources are limited and problematic.
Gildas wrote decades later, using a moralising style rather than factual chronicle.
Bede compiled accounts in the 8th century, relying on oral traditions and earlier works.
Archaeology provides physical evidence but often cannot confirm individuals or specific battles.
As a result, historians must balance legendary material with material culture to reconstruct the period.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
Name the two Saxon leaders who, according to tradition, were invited by Vortigern to Britain around 450 CE.
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for correctly naming Hengist.
1 mark for correctly naming Horsa.
Question 2 (5 marks)
Explain two reasons why the Battle of Mons Badonicus was significant in the history of early Saxon Britain.
Mark Scheme:
Up to 2 marks for describing one reason with some explanation.
Up to 2 marks for describing a second reason with some explanation.
1 additional mark for developing either point with clear contextual detail (e.g., mentioning Ambrosius Aurelianus, halting of Saxon expansion, or links to later Arthurian tradition).
Indicative content:
The battle delayed Saxon advances, preserving Romano-British control in parts of southern Britain for several decades.
It allowed Romano-British culture, Christianity, and political structures to survive in certain areas.
It became associated with legends of King Arthur, highlighting its long-lasting cultural and symbolic importance.
