General Notes

Vortigern Vorteneu, (Gwrtheyrn Gwrtheneu (the Thin) in Welsh).
Vortigernis apparently merely a title meaning 'Over-King'.
There are someindications that, like his supposed forebears,
his real name was Gwidol(Vitalis) or Gwidolin (Vitalinus),
though his origins are obscure. Hispower-base was always the
area that now spans the Welsh border: hiseldest son set up a
thriving kingdom in Powys, though Vortigern appearsto have held
sway in Gloucester in his early years. His great grandfatheris
usually said to have been Gloyw Gwallthir (Long-Hair), one of
thecity's supposed founders. His name may well be synonymous
with the placeitself: 'Gloucester Long-Wall', though some think
the appendage to hisname indicates he was a long-haired Pict.
The 'Life of St. Cadog',however, gives Vortigern an alternative
ancestry descending from theCeltic gods, Beli Mawr, Lludd Llaw
Ereint and Afallach. So perhaps thePictish connection was
through the female line. Legend says that Vortigern was an
official at the court of the Emperor ofBritain, Constantine
Waredwr (the Deliverer), in the early 5th century.He climbed
his way high up the greasy pole by securing an inspiredmarriage
to Severa, the daughter of the Emperor's predecessor
andnational hero, Magnus Maximus. Rising to be chief advisor,
Vortigern hadEmperor Constantine deposed while he was away
campaigning on thecontinent. He then temporarily placed the
Emperor's eldest son, Constans,on the throne while he brought
his Pictish relatives to court toconsolidate his position.
Vortigern used these Northern henchmen todispose of the three
people standing between him and the British crown.Constans was
assassinated, but his young brothers were bundled up andescaped
to the court of their cousin, Budic I, in Brittany. It was
during Vortigern's reign that St Germanus visited Britain
fromAuxerre to stamp out the Pelagian heresy that had become so
popular. Hisfirst journey took him from Caer-Rebuti
(Richborough) to Caer-Lundein(London), Caer-Mincip (St. Albans)
and up to what is now Cheshire wherehe led an army against a
party of invading Saxon pirates. Germanus wasgreeted by the
High-King himself on his return some years later. Thesaint
spent a little time at the royal court, probably
Caer-Guricon(Wroxeter, Shropshire) where excavation has
revealed the residence of apowerful 5th century noble. Here the
saint accused Vortigern of fatheringa child by his own
daughter. Though disgusted by the British High-King,Germanus
favoured the man's sons, three of whom he appears to
haveblessed. Even with the support of his brothers-in-law, who
were now powerfulrulers in Wales, Vortigern's grip on the
country was still shaky; butwhen Severa died the situation
worsened and he was forced to bring inSaxon and Jutish
mercenaries, led by Princes Hengist and Horsa, tostabilize
things. The two brothers asked, as a reward for quelling
allresistance, for all the land they could cover with a single
ox-hide.Vortigern eagerly agreed, but found that Hengist cut
the hide into alengthy thong that was able to encompass the
whole city of Caer-Correi(Caistor, Lincolnshire)! The Saxons
were as good as their word though,and control of the country
soon returned to Vortigern's hands. Later,however, they tricked
the High-King again: this time into handing over tothem the
Sub-Kingdom of Ceint (Kent). Getting drunk at a
celebratoryfeast, the foolish Vortigern fell deeply in love
with Hengist's daughter,Rowena. He promised Hengist anything he
wanted, if only he could marryher. Ceint was the Saxon's price.
Sickened by the betrayal of his countrymen, Vortigern's eldest
son,Vortimer, declared himself a rival British leader, raised
an army and,for a short time, managed to stem the Saxon
advance. Wounded in battle,however, he was poisoned by Rowena,
his step-mother. From their securepower-base, the Saxons saw
their chance and rebelled against Vortigern.They tore through
the land, leaving devastation wherever they went. Manywere
killed during the ensuing battles, amongst them, Horsa
andVortigern's son, Catigern. Hengist eventually called for a
peaceconference on Salisbury Plain. The Britains arrived and
were promptly cutdown where they stood. Vortigern escaped to
set up a stronghold in the west. He chose to build acastle on
the southern slopes of Yr Aran, above Beddgelert
(Gwynedd).Construction began. However, every morning the
previous day's work wasfound demolished. Vortigern's magicians
told him to seek a boy with nofather, born of the fairies. He
would be able to solve the High-King'sproblem. Vortigern's men
searched far and wide and discovered such a boyat what was soon
to become Caer-Myrddin (Carmarthen). His name wasMyrddin Emrys,
or 'Merlin' for short. Merlin revealed that at night
themountain shook so that all buildings collapsed because
beneath it wereburied two fighting dragons -- one white
representing the Saxons and onered representing the British,
and the white one was winning! Afraid ofsuch an omen, Vortigern
fled. Disillusioned, the British finally rebelled against their
High-King andConstantine's son. Ambrosius Aurelianus (Emrys
Wledig), now a burlyyoung man, returned to lead their struggle.
Merlin handed over to him themountain site where Vortigern had
failed to build, and it became his fortof Dinas Emrys.
Vortigern took refuge in a wooden castle on therefortified hill
fort of Caer-Guorthigirn (Little Doward) above Ganarew,but it
was miraculously struck by lightning and he burnt to death! He
waslater buried in a small chapel in Cwm Gwrtheyrn on the Lleyn
Peninsula.It was left to Ambrosius Aurelianus to halt the Saxon
advance. [DavidNash Ford, The Kingdoms of Wales: Biographies]