Nightbringer | The Arthurian Online Encyclopedia

Catigern

Categren, Cateyrn, Katiger, Katigern, Katigis

In Nennius and Geoffrey, the son of Vortigern who was killed in battle, near Aylesford (Episford), Kent, in the fifth century against Hengist’s Saxon armies while fighting alongside his brother, Vortimer, at Episford.

He slew, and was slain by, Hengist’s brother Horsa. Layamon says that Horsa and Catigern wounded each other, but indicates later that Catigern did not die at that battle. Wace calls the same character Vortiger.

He is said to be buried in a Neolithic cromlech known as Kit’s Coty House, though this cromlech pre-dates the death of Catigern by some considerable time.


Sources
Historia Brittonum | Probably Nennius, early 9th century
Historia Regum Britanniae | Geoffrey of Monmouth, c. 1138
Brut | Layamon, late 12th century to mid-13th century