might I for shame shun them so soon, and drive from land my dear friends?” Then answered the Britons, with sorrow bound:  “We will nevermore obey thy commands, nor come to thy court, nor hold thee for king, but we will hate thee with great strength, and all thine heathen friends with harm greet.  Be Christ now, that is God’s son, our help!” Forth went the earls, forth went the lords, forth went the bishops, and the book-learned men, forth went the thanes, forth went the swains, all the Britons, until they came to London.

There was many a noble Briton at the husting, and the king’s three sons they all were come thither; there was Vortimer, Pascent, and Catiger, and very many others, that came with the brothers; all the folk came thither, that loved the Christendom.  And all the rich men betook them to counsel, and took the king’s eldest son, who was come to the husting, and with mickle song of praise elevated him to be king.  Then was Vortimer Christian king there, and Vortiger, his father, followed the heathens.  All thus it happened, as the counsel was done.

And Vortimer, the young king, was most keen through all things; he sent Hengest and Hors his brother, unless speedily they departed from this realm, he would evil do to them, both blind and hang them; and his own father he would destroy, and all the heathens, with great strength.  Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights:  “Here we will dwell winter and summer, ride and run with the King Vortiger; and all that with Vortimer go, they shall have sorrow and care!” Vortimer heard that—­he was wise and most wary—­and caused a host to be assembled over all this land, that all the Christian folk should come to his court.  Vortimer, the young king, in London held his husting; the king ordered each man that loved the Christendom, that they all should hate the heathens, and bring the heads of them to Vortimer the king, and have twelve pennies for reward, for his good deed.  Vortimer the young marched out of London, and Pascent, his brother, and Catiger, the other; to them was come word, that Hengest lay at Epiford, upon the water that men name Darwent.  There came together sixty thousand men; on one half was Vortimer, Pascent, and Catiger, and all the folk that loved our Lord; on the other half were chiefs with Vortiger the king, Hengest and his brother, and many thousand others.  Together they came, and combated with might; there fell to the ground two and thirty hundred of Hengest’s men; and Hors was wounded.  Catiger came there, and with his spear ran him through, and Hors forth-right there wounded Catiger.  And Hengest gan to flee with all his followers, and Vortiger the king fled forth as the wind; they flew forth into Kent, and Vortimer went after them; there upon the seashore Hengest suffered pain; there they gan to halt, and fought very long; five thousand there were slain, and deprived of lifeday, of Vortiger’s men, of the heathen race.