Vortigern

Family: Gewisseans · Role: consul · First appears: Book VI 4–6

In Book VI, Vortigern took Constans from monastic life, dressed him in royal garments, and made him king at London. Constans then entrusted the government to him, while Vortigern gained custody of the treasures and fortified cities, placed his own creatures there, and crowned himself when he saw no rival. After his treason was discovered, the peoples brought into Albania by the Picts rebelled against him.

Vortigern accepted Hengist and Horsa into his wars, promising them lands and possessions, and rewarded Hengist with extensive holdings in Lindesia and ground for a fortress. He married Rowen, Hengist’s pagan daughter, and granted Hengist the province of Kent; he also welcomed Octa and Ebissa with soldiers and gave them northern territories. The Britons then deserted him and unanimously made his son Vortimer king, while Catigern and Pascentius were also his sons. Later, Vortigern ordered Merlin and his mother brought before him; after Merlin identified the pond beneath his tower, Vortigern was filled with admiration and commanded him to explain the battle of the dragons.

In Book VIII, Aurelius Ambrosius besieged Vortigern at Genoreu, and fire burned down the tower with Vortigern inside it. Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon were presented as enemies who would avenge their father’s murder, while Constantine, brother of Aldroen accused Vortigern of first betraying his father. Later, Tremounus identified Merlin as “the prophet of Vortigern.”