the last year that Britain was part of the Roman Empire. Irish raiders from the west, Picts from the north, and Saxons from the east were ruthlessly harrying the island. The nobles sent a letter to their emperor to ask for imperial help, preferably in the form of legions to fight off the invaders. However, Emperor Honorius had no armies to spare, and instead he sent only a return letter with the now-famous line, “look to your own defenses.”
History of Briton
Roman conquest of Britain
43 AD 410 AD
-
410 AD
410 AD
"Look to your own defenses"
Era beginning/end -
410 AD
1 Janus410 AD
14 Janus
the Supreme Collegium,
Gathering / ConferenceThe high council of Briton nobles, called the Supreme Collegium, debated and at last chose a leader, struggling to raise an army of their own. The man they chose, named Constantin, a Briton of wealth and renown, then chose one man in a thousand to be a military leader — an eques as they say in Latin, or in our tongue, a knight.
Rule of Constantin
410 AD 440 AD
The Rule of King Constantin
-
410 AD
410 AD
"Look to your own defenses"
Era beginning/endthe last year that Britain was part of the Roman Empire. Irish raiders from the west, Picts from the north, and Saxons from the east were ruthlessly harrying the island. The nobles sent a letter to their emperor to ask for imperial help, preferably in the form of legions to fight off the invaders. However, Emperor Honorius had no armies to spare, and instead he sent only a return letter with the now-famous line, “look to your own defenses.”
-
410 AD
1 Janus410 AD
14 Janus
the Supreme Collegium,
Gathering / ConferenceThe high council of Briton nobles, called the Supreme Collegium, debated and at last chose a leader, struggling to raise an army of their own. The man they chose, named Constantin, a Briton of wealth and renown, then chose one man in a thousand to be a military leader — an eques as they say in Latin, or in our tongue, a knight.
-
439 AD
439 AD
The Battle of Carlion
Military action -
440 AD
440 AD
King Constantin is murdered
Life, DeathKing Constantin is murdered by one of his own guards, a Silchester knight.
The Short Rule of Constans
440 AD 441 AD
-
440 AD
440 AD
King Constantin is murdered
Life, DeathKing Constantin is murdered by one of his own guards, a Silchester knight.
-
441 AD
1 Mars441 AD
7 Mars
the High Council chooses Constans
Political eventAt the urging of Duke Vortigern of the Gewessi, the High Council chooses Constans, the young son of Constantin, as king. Constans is a young, bookish type, however, so he relies on his uncle, Duke Vortigern, for advice.
Rule of King Vortigern
443 AD 468 AD
-
443 AD
443 AD
Young King Constans is murdered
Life, DeathYoung King Constans is murdered by his Pictish bodyguards. After much debate, Duke Vortigern is selected to be the next King of the Britons. The younger brothers of King Constans are taken away to Brittany in secret.
-
443 AD
1 Janus443 AD
25 Novem
Saintly Germanus, comes to Britain
Religious eventa prelate from the pope, the saintly Germanus, comes to Britain to condemn and combat British Christianity.
-
443 AD
1 Julius443 AD
14 Julius
Duke Vortigern is selected to be the next King of the Britons.
Political eventDuke Vortigern is selected to be the next King of the Britons.
-
444 AD
445 AD
The Picts stage a massive invasion of Briton
Military actionThe Picts stage a massive invasion, with their armies occupyingmuch of the north and bands of raiders penetrating all the way into Logres. Rather than risk a great loss, King Vortigern orders his armies to dig in and garrison their homes and holdings.
-
446 AD
446 AD
King Vortigern makes new friends
Diplomatic actionKing Vortigern realizes that he needs assistance against the furious Picts and, in good Roman fashion, hires new barbarians to fight the old barbarians. The Saxon kings Hengest and Horsa come from the Continent with their bands of warriors to join Vortigern’s army. Thus reinforced, the Briton army marches north against the Picts. Battle is met near the city of Lincoln, and it is a great victory for the British.
-
446 AD
446 AD
the Battle of Lincoln
Military actionthe Battle of Lincoln: The Saxon kings Hengest and Horsa come from the Continent with their bands of warriors to join Vortigern’s army. Thus reinforced, the Briton army marches north against the Picts. Battle is met near the city of Lincoln, and it is a great victory for the British.
-
447 AD
449 AD
King Vortigern spares his own army
Population Migration / TravelDuring this time, King Vortigern spares his own army, using the Saxons to drive the Picts out of the north. More Saxons come to Britain, including many families, and Hengest’s daughter Rowena becomes a favorite at Vortigern’s court. News from the Continent is persistent in saying that new foes, the Huns, are defeating the German tribes right and left. These savages are thought to be half demon, half horse.
-
468 AD
468 AD
Vortigern is killed
Life, DeathVortigern is killed and his army scattered at the Battle of Snowdon Castle.
The Rule of the High King Aurelius Ambrosius
468 AD 480 AD
-
468 AD
468 AD
Vortigern is killed
Life, DeathVortigern is killed and his army scattered at the Battle of Snowdon Castle.
-
480 AD
Ambrosius is killed in the battle of Salisbury
Life, DeathAurelius Ambrosius is poisoned by a false doctor. Despite his illness, Ambrosius marches with Uther against the enemy, whom they meet at Menevia. Ambrosius confronts the foe while Uther takes his army around to the Saxons’ rear and cuts them off from their ships, attacking them with great vigor. It is a great victory for the British, but Ambrosius is killed in the fighting.
-
480 AD
Uther to be the new Pendragon
Era beginning/endthe High Council meets and unanimously elects Uther to be the new Pendragon
The Rule of Uther Pendragon
480 AD 495 AD
-
480 AD
Ambrosius is killed in the battle of Salisbury
Life, DeathAurelius Ambrosius is poisoned by a false doctor. Despite his illness, Ambrosius marches with Uther against the enemy, whom they meet at Menevia. Ambrosius confronts the foe while Uther takes his army around to the Saxons’ rear and cuts them off from their ships, attacking them with great vigor. It is a great victory for the British, but Ambrosius is killed in the fighting.
-
480 AD
Uther to be the new Pendragon
Era beginning/endthe High Council meets and unanimously elects Uther to be the new Pendragon
-
490 AD
490 AD
490 Marriage
Marriage -
490 AD
Juno490 AD
Juno
Battle of Lindsey 490
Military: BattleThe British army, with roughly 2,000 knights 5,000-foot All the great lords are present to do battle with the 10,000-strong Saxon army.
-
495 AD
Battle of St. Albans
Life, DeathBattle of St. Albans — King Uther Pendragon dies without a known heir.
