Resigned to Foreigners

"And now the Saxon chief prepared an entertainment, to which he invited the king, his officers, and Ceretic, his interpreter, having previously enjoined his daughter to serve them so profusely with wine and ale, that they might soon become intoxicated."

Here we go. Interesting that Nennius calls Hengist "the Saxon chief" and Vortigern "king". They also needed an "interpreter", thus indicating that their languages were by this time separate and distinct. But the plan was simple. Get everyone drunk and let the hormones fly!

"This plan succeeded, and Vortigern, at the instigation of the devil, and enamoured with the the beauty of the damsel, demanded her, through the medium of his interpreter, of the father, promising to give for her whatever he should ask. Then Hengist, who had already consulted with the elders who attended him of the Oghgul race, demanded for his daughter the province, called in English Centland, in British, Ceint, (Kent). This cession was made without the knowledge of the king, Guoyrancgonus who then reigned in Kent, and who experienced no inconsiderable share of grief, from seeing his kingdom thus clandestinely, fraudulently, and imprudently resigned to foreigners. Thus the maid was delivered up to the king, who slept with her, and loved her exceedingly."

Quotes taken from: Medieval Sourcebook: Nennius: Historia Brittonum, 8th century

Made Themselves at Home

Writing in his "Historia Brittonum" around 942 AD, Nennius continues the story of our grandfather Jones Vortigern. In paragraph 36 he writes:

"After the Saxons had continued some time in the island of Thanet, Vortigern promised to supply them with clothing and provision, on condition they would engage to fight against the enemies of his country. But the barbarians having greatly increased in number, the Britons became incapable of fulfilling their engagement, and when the Saxons, according to the promise they had received, claimed a supply of provisions and clothing, the Britons replied: 'Your number is increasing; your assistance is now unnecessary, you may, therefore, return home, for we can no longer support you.' and hereupon they began to devise means of breaking the peace between them."

So in the mind of Nennius, the Saxons made themselves at home on the land of Thanet. [Thanet is the eastern most part of the county of present day Kent.] They were then asked nicely to go back home, but of course they refused. In paragraph 37 the Saxons respond:

"But Hengist, in whom united craft and penetration, perceiving he had to act with an ignorant king, and a fluctuating people, incapable of opposing much resistance, replied to Vortigern, 'We are, indeed, few in number, but, if you will give us leave, we will send to our county, for an additional number of forces, with whom we will fight for you and your subjects." Vortigern assenting to this proposal, messengers were dispatched to Scythia, where selecting a number of warlike troops, they returned with sixteen vessels, bringing with them the beautiful daughter of Hengist."

By now you can already guess what is going to happen. Much like the fall of Troy, the fall of the Britons is blamed partly on the beautiful daughter of Hengist! More to come.