Horsa of Kent Timeline c420-455

Horsa of Kent, was born in Jutland (Denmark) to Chieftan Wictgils. The identity of his mother is not known. He had a brother, Hengist. It is not known which of the brothers was the elder but since Hengist is always referred to first it is likely he was the elder.

King Vortigern of the Britons called for assistance from the brothers Hengist and Horsa to help him fight the Picts and Scots. By this time the brothers were Jutish chieftans from Jutland (Denmark).

Hengist and Horsa landed at Wippidsfleet (Ebbsfleet) in Kent. They brought with them a number of armed Angles and Saxons.

Hengist and Horsa joined forces with King Vortigern and supported him fighting the Picts in the north.

King Vortigern married Hengist’s daughter, Rowena.

King Vortigern gave the brothers the Isle of Thanet.

Vortigern’s son, Vortimer, was unhappy about his father’s marriage and the fact that he had given land to the Saxons, and led a rebellion against him. The rebellion ended when Vortimer was killed. Some sources claim that Vortimer was poisoned by his step-mother, Rowena.

Hengist and Horsa were dissatisfied with the land they controlled and wanted to expand their territory.

Battle of Aegaelsthrep (Aylesford)
Horsa was killed during this battle against King Vortigern. Vortigern’s son, Catigern was also killed in the fighting.