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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 of Henghest and Horsa invasion of Kent in 455AD
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



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Author Simon M - Last updated - 2024-10-16 07:56:06
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