The History of the Kings of Britain

The Archbishop of London, Guithelinus, crosses to Little Britain to appeal for help from Aldroenus, “the fourth King after Conanus,” citing their common blood, the Britons’ desperate need for help since Maximianus colonized Little Britain with all the best British soldiers, and the glory of wearing the crown of Constantine and Maximianus (124). Due to Britain’s declining fortunes, Aldroenus refuses the offer but agrees to send his brother Constantine and 2,000 soldiers to “free the country from this barbarian invasion” (125).

Constantine sails with his forces to Britain and defeats the enemy. He is made king and given a noble wife with whom he has three sons—Constans, Aurelius Ambrosius, and Utherpendragon. Constantine sends Constans to become a monk. However, after Constantine is assassinated (and his brothers too young to assume the throne), a local leader called Vortigern convinces Constans to abandon his monastic orders and become king. Having no knowledge of how to rule, Constans defers to Vortigern, who plots to depose Constans and seize the crown for himself. He places Picts in Constans’ retinue and provokes them to assassinate Constans. Vortigern pretends to be distraught and has the assassins decapitated. Though some suspect Vortigern of orchestrating the assassination, others accept him. Aurelius Ambrosius and Utherpendragon flee to Little Britain and are protected by King Budicius. Vortigern becomes king, but his is revealed. The Picts revolt against him, angry at the fate of their comrades. Vortigern fears the return of Aurelius Ambrosius, Utherpendragon and their supporters.

Two brothers from Saxony, Hengist and Horsa, arrive in Britain with three ships “full of armed warriors” (129). They explain to Vortigern that it is their country’s practice to send surplus manpower away to seek their own fortunes. Hengist and Horsa, the leaders, offer their services to Vortigern. Though he is dismayed by their paganism, he welcomes their help and establishes a treaty with them. Shortly after, the Picts attack. After fierce battles, the Saxons’ efforts force the Picts to retreat. Following their success, Hengist suggests sending to Germany for more troops and requests a title of Prince or Earl. Vortigern agrees to receive more troops but cannot grant the title to a pagan; however, he gives Hengist land where he can build a fortress. Meanwhile, Hengist sends for his daughter, Renwein. At a banquet, Vortigern falls in love with her beauty and asks Hengist for her hand in marriage. Hengist agrees, if Vortigern will give him Kent. The exchange is made, and Vortigern marries Renwein. Because she is a pagan, the marriage “incurred the enmity of his leaders” and his three sons, Vortimer, Katigern, and Paschent (134).

At this time, the British people’s Christian faith “had been corrupted” by the pagans and the Pelagian heresy. Two bishops, St. Germanus and Lupus, use miracles to help restore the people’s faith. However, Hengist increases the number of pagans on the island by suggesting to Vortigern that more warriors from Saxony be brought to Britain to protect from barbarian invasions. The Britons, concerned about fraternization between pagans and Christians, urge Vortigern to expel the Saxons lest they revolt; however, Vortigern loves the Saxons and does not want to follow the Britons' advice. Thusly, the Britons desert Vortigern and give their support to his son Vortimer, who agrees with them and victoriously battles the Saxons. Horsa and Katigern kill each other in battle. Vortigern fights on the Saxons’ side and eventually requests permission from his son for the Saxons to withdraw to Germany. While he is doing so, the Saxons sail off, “leaving their women and children behind” (135).

Vortimer returns to the Britons their possessions and restores their churches. “[E]nvious of this behavior,” Renwein poisons Vortimer, and Vortigern is “restored to the kingship” (136). He asks Hengist to secretly return to Britain, but when Hengist arrives with 300 thousand armed warriors, Vortigern and the local princes become furious and plan to battle the Saxons. Hengist claims to have brought the warriors to serve Vortigern; a peace conference is arranged, but Hengist betrays Vortigern. Vortigern is captured and “about four hundred and sixty counts and earls” killed (138). A Count of Gloucester, Eldol, defends himself with a wooden stake and escapes. Vortigern exchanges his cities and fortresses for his life. The Saxons capture cities and surrounding countryside while Vortigern flees to Wales.

There, Vortigern summons “his magicians” (139) for advice, who recommend he build a tower. However, every attempt to build a foundation fails as each collapse. Vortigern again summons his magicians, who advise him to find and kill a fatherless boy and sprinkle his blood on the stones, promising him this will secure the foundation. Vortigern sends messengers to find a fatherless boy, and they discover one called Merlin. His mother, who is of noble blood, lives among nuns, but his father is unknown. When Vortigern questions her, Merlin’s mother claims that she was visited in her private apartments by someone who appeared as a “handsome young man” (140). He would become invisible but continue to speak with her and in this form “would often make love with me, as a man would do” (140). She leaves it to Vortigern to decide what this means. Vortigern consults with a man called Maugantius, who listens to the story of Merlin’s mother. Maugantius determines that this apparition who visited Merlin’s mother may have been an incubus demon. These have “partly the nature of men and partly that of angels” and can “assume mortal shapes and have intercourse with women” (140).

After listening to the discussion, Merlin asks the king why he and his mother have been brought before him. Vortigern tells Merlin what the magicians advised, and Merlin accuses them of giving false advice because they do not understand the true cause of the collapsing foundations. He instructs Vortigern’s workmen to dig into the earth, where they will find a pool that is the true source of the unstable ground; a pool is duly found. Merlin orders the pool drained, where they will find two hollow stones in which two dragons sleep. Vortigern is astounded by Merlin, and all present realize “there [is] something supernatural about him” (141).