Darent, Dereuent, Derwent
Darenth is a village located in the county of Kent, England. The River of Darent runs near and it is near the river that the battle is fought.
The Battle of River Darenth is described in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s work. In this first battle, Vortimer confronts the Saxon leaders Octa and Eosa, who were the sons of the Saxon chieftain Hengist. The Saxon invaders had been causing havoc in Britain, and Vortimer sought to drive them back and defend his kingdom.
The battle is described as a fierce conflict, with Vortimer and his forces engaging the Saxons near the River Darenth. The Britons achieved a decisive victory, forcing Octa and Eosa to retreat. The battle is credited with temporarily halting the Saxon invasion and providing a respite for the Britons.
Nennius says that Vortimer won the battle, and pushed on to fight the second at Ryhd yr afael (Epsford).
Layamon claims that all three of Vortigern’s sons – Vortimer, Pascentius, and Catigern – fought Vortigern, Hengist, and Horsa, and pushed the Saxons back to Thanet.
Battle of Darenth | History
The Battle of Darenth is thought to have occured around the year 455 AD, during the early fifth century. This period marked the decline of the Roman authority in Britain and the beginning of Anglo-Saxon migrations and invasions.
The battle is believed to have been fought between Romano-British, representing the declining Roman authority in the region, and the invading Anglo-Saxons, who were establishing themselves in different parts of England. The specifics of the battle and its outcome are not well-documented, but it is generally considered to be one of the early engagements between the Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon forces. The result of the battle likely contributed to the broader pattern of Anglo-Saxon settlement in southeastern England.
The Battle of Darenth is notable for being one of the early conflicts that marked the Anglo-Saxon migration and the eventual establishment of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in England. It is part of the larger historical narrative of the end of Roman Britain and the beginning of the early medieval period in the country.
Sources
Historia Brittonum | Probably Nennius, early 9th century
Historia Regum Britanniae | Geoffrey of Monmouth, c. 1138
Roman de Brut | Wace, c. 1155
Brut | Layamon, late 12th century to mid-13th century