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Anglo Saxon Chronicles - 465AD - Wippedesfleote
(Henghest and Æsc)
 
The entry from the Chronicles

Original text
Her Hengest ⁊ Æsc gefuhton uuiþ Walas neah Wippedesfleote ⁊ þær .xii. wilisce aldormenn ofslogon, ⁊ hiera þegn an þær wearþ ofslægen, þam wæs noma Wipped.

Translation
465AD. This year Hengest and Esc fought with the Welsh, at Wippedesfleote and there slew twelve leaders, all Welsh. On their side a thane was there slain, whose name was Wipped.

What does this mean

If we look at the Saxon name 'Wippedesfleote', it is made up from two Saxon components 'Wippedes' which is named after Wipped, one of Henghest's Thanes and 'fleote' which means a fleet[sea passage between two bodies of land].

This is most likely at Purfleet in Essex, with the name evolving from Wippedesfleote to Wipperfleote, then perfleet and finally Purfleet. It is unusual to have places named after people, as most Saxon place names describe the locations usage. This would mean that Wipped was looked on as being important

Possible interpretation of the Chronicles

This Chronicle reference looks as though the Romano British were trying to attack Kent to force Henghest out, but a large number leaders were killed, which finally stopped any attempts to force Henghest to leave Kent.

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 07:57:24
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