A..D. 454.] KING VOKTIGERN DEPOSED. How Vortigern sent for the Saxons. In the year of grace 453, Hengist having married his daughter to Vortigern, took occasion to speak to him after this sort, " Listen to my counsel. Let us invite over my son Octa with his brother Abissa, both warlike men ; and give them the country in the north parts of Britain in the neighbourhood of the wall, between Deira and Scotland, They will there sustain the attack of the barbarians, and thou wilt remain in peace on this side of the Humber." Vortigern assented, and straightway on his invitation, there came over Octa and Abissa and Cerdicius, with three hundred vessels full of armed men ; all of whom were graciously received by Vortigern and presented with rich gifts. The Britons, seeing this, and fearing their treachery, advised the king to expel them from his dominions ; for pagans ought not to have intercourse with Christians, as being contrary to Christianity. Besides, so great a multitude had come over, that they were a terror to the natives, whom they ought to protect. But Vortigern declined their counsel, because he loved the Saxons above all people for his wife's sake.* How king Vortigern was deposed, and was succeeded by his son. In the year of grace 454, the nobles of Britain entirely forsook king Vortigern, and with one consent placed hie son Vortimer on the throne. Acquiescing in all their counsels, he began the work of driving out the barbarians ; and attacking them at the river Darent,']- gained a victory over them. Among the fugitives was Vortigern, who, for the sake of his wife, afforded them all the help he could. After gaining this victory, Vortimer began to restore to his subjects their lost possessions, and by every means to do them good ; moreover he commanded that the churches which had been destroyed should be rebuilt, and that due honour should be paid to the clergy. * This paragraph, as well as many others in the early part of this history, is taken from Geoffrey of Monmouth, and consequently must not be entirely relied on as authentic history. + J he river Darent (Derwent) has giyen name to the modern town of Dartford, i. e. Darentford.