Vortimer facts for kids

Vortimer, also known as Vortimer the Blessed, is a legendary figure from ancient British stories. He was the son of a 5th-century British ruler named Vortigern. Vortimer is famous for strongly opposing the Saxon allies his father brought to Britain. In some old tales, like Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, Vortimer even takes over from his father and rules as King of Britain for a short time before he dies. After his death, Vortigern becomes king again.

Stories About Vortimer

Vortimer's story first appears in a 9th-century book called the Historia Brittonum. This book says that Vortigern, Vortimer's father, allowed Saxons led by Hengest and Horsa to settle on the Isle of Thanet. Vortigern offered them supplies in exchange for their help as soldiers.

Vortimer Fights the Saxons

The Historia Brittonum describes Vortigern as a king who made bad decisions. Hengest, the Saxon leader, tricked Vortigern into giving them more land. More Saxon settlers came from a region called Germania. After a difficult time where the Saxons took over more and more land, Vortimer finally stood up against them.

He pushed the Saxons back to Thanet and fought them in four battles. In the third battle, Horsa (a Saxon leader) and Vortimer's brother, Catigern, were both killed. In the fourth battle, the Saxons were forced back to the sea.

Vortimer's Death and Burial

Soon after his victories, Vortimer died. He asked his followers to bury him where the Saxons first landed in Britain. He believed this would act as a protective charm against future invasions. However, his followers did not listen to his wish, and the Saxons returned. Some old writings suggest that if his followers had obeyed, they would have succeeded with the help of Saint Germanus.

The Welsh Triads, another ancient text, says his bones were buried "in the Chief Ports of this Island."

Battle Locations

Three of Vortimer's battle sites are named in the old stories:

• The first was on the River Darent.
• The second was at a place called Episford.
• The third was by a stone on the shore of the "Gallic Sea."

These battles might be connected to battles mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle from 455 and 465. However, the Chronicle does not mention Vortimer by name.

Geoffrey of Monmouth's Account

Geoffrey of Monmouth expanded on these legends in his book, Historia regum Britanniae. This book is widely believed to be a fictional account of Britain's rulers. In Geoffrey's story, the Britons leave Vortigern and make Vortimer their king.

After Vortimer drives out the Saxons, he is poisoned by his stepmother, Rowena, who was a Saxon. Vortigern then becomes king again. Geoffrey says Vortimer was buried in London. He also mentions Saint Germanus, who encouraged Vortimer to rebuild churches.

Later Stories

Later writers like Wace and Layamon continued Geoffrey's story. They both say London was Vortimer's burial place. Layamon even mentions a specific gate in London called Belyn's Gate (now Billingsgate). He also adds that Vortimer offered a reward for the head of any non-Christian brought to him. Both authors also mention Saint Germanus.

In the 18th century, a writer named Rev. Philip Morant added more to the story. He wrote that Aldroen, a king from Armorica, sent soldiers to Britain. These soldiers were led by Aurelius Ambrosius. Vortimer's followers saw Aurelius as someone trying to take power unfairly, and a civil war broke out. This war lasted seven or eight years.

Peace was eventually made by splitting Britain into two parts. Aurelius ruled the western part, while Vortimer and Vortigern ruled the east. They were divided by a road called Watling Street. Morant states that Vortimer died in 475, but he does not mention poison.