NIGHTBRINGER | The Arthurian Encyclopedia

Creacanford

Battle of Crayford

Creacanford in Kent refers to the Battle of Crayford, an important historical event that took place in 457 AD. The Battle of Crayford was fought between the Anglo-Saxon invaders, led by Hengist and his brother Horsa, and the Britons, led by King Vortigern. It is recorded in various early medieval sources, including the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the Historia Brittonum.

The battle occured during the early phase of the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain. The Anglo-Saxons, who were Germanic tribes from continental Europe, had been invited by King Vortigern to assist the Britons in their defense against the Picts and Scots. However, the Anglo-Saxons eventually turned against the Britons and began to seize territory for themselves.

At the Battle of Crayford, the Anglo-Saxons decisively defeated the Britons, allowing them to expand their control over Kent and establish one of the earliest Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in Britain. The battle marked a significant turning point in the Anglo-Saxon migration and their eventual establishment as dominant rulers in various parts of England.

Crayford, the location of the battle, is a town in the London Borough of Bexley, situated in modern-day Kent. While the exact site of the battle is not precisely known, the historical significance of the event is acknowledged in the region’s history and heritage.


Source
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle | 9th century
Historia Brittonum | Probably Nennius, early 9th century