|
 | Anglo Saxon History |  | |
| Anglo Saxon Chronicles - 457AD - Crecganford (Henghest and Æsc) |
| The entry from the Chronicles |
Original text
Her Hengest ⁊ Æsc fuhton wiþ Brettas in þære stowe þe is gecueden Crecganford ⁊ þær ofslogon .iiiim. wera,
⁊ þa Brettas þa forleton Centlond ⁊ mid micle ege flugon to Lundenbyrg.
Translation
457AD. This year Hengest and Æsc fought with the Britons on the spot that is called Crecganford, and there slew
four thousand men. The Britons then forsook the land of Kent, and in great consternation fled to London.
| What does this mean |
If we look at the Saxon name 'Crecganford', it is made up from two Saxon components 'Crecgan' which means 'Creek' and
'ford' which means 'a river fording point'.
This is most likely at Crayford, with the name translating to 'the ford in the Creek' and is another good
defensive point on Watling Street, probably from troops from London, it would seem that after this the whole of Kent was
now totally controlled by Henghest and Horsa.
| Possible interpretation of the Chronicles |
Henghest has now travelled the length of Kent from Ebbsfleet to Crayford and now controls all of
Kent, he has lost his brother Horsa at Rochester, but his place has now been taken by Henghest son Æsc.
| Map showing the Battles of Henghest and Horsa |
Map generated using Google My Maps 2024 - showing the
Landscape, modern Counties and sea in 455AD
Please Note: this map is my interpretation of the Anglo Saxon Chronicles entries relating to Henghest, Horsa and Aesc
and their take over of Kent, the purple line shows the modern Kent boundary.
The logic for the coastal changes and the Forest of Andredsweald can be viewed on the following pages:
Roman Roads in Britain
The Great Forest of Andredsweald - Anglo
Saxon Chronicles
Landscape - Was the sea level in Saxon times
at Pevensey 4 to 5 metres higher ?
Was the high tide in Saxon times 5 metres higher
? - the Wash
Landscape - The History of the Romney Marsh in
maps(Pre-Roman to Modern times)
Roman Locations that have not been identified and roads that
just terminate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Interest Just click an image |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|