Vortigern, Hengist, and Horsa – The Saxon Invitation

In this episode we unpack the contested story of Vortigern’s appeal for Germanic warriors, the legendary brothers Hengist and Horsa, and what surviving evidence tells us about early fifth‑to‑seventh century Britain. Drawing on Gildas, Bede and recent archaeology, we separate later myth-making from contemporary sources and examine how migration patterns might align with the tale. We also discuss why modern historians remain divided over whether these figures were real leaders or symbolic constructs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices