Horsa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. WikiProject Middle Ages or the Middle Ages Portal may be able to help recruit one. (November 2008) |
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2007) |
Horsa, according to tradition, was a fifth century warrior and brother of Hengest who took part in the invasion and conquest of Britain from its native Romano-British inhabitants. However, twin warriors are a common theme in folklore. Recent scholars have speculated that his name came from a Roman inscription that was illegible except for part of the Latin word cohors.
Contents |
[edit] Bede
Bede, providing the earliest reference known to Horsa in about 731, says that the first two Anglo-Saxon commanders were Hengist and Horsa, the sons of Victgilsus. He also says that Horsa was slain by the British and buried in eastern Kent. Bede mentions that a stone existed that recorded his name. White Horse Stone near Maidstone in Kent is the traditional site. Legend also has it that Horsa was buried at Horsted, an area between Chatham in Kent and Bluebell Hill, on the road towards Maidstone.
[edit] Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
Referencing the Battle of Aylesford, the late 9th century Anglo-Saxon Chronicle entry for 455 states:
Her Hengest ⁊ Horsa fuhton wiþ Wyrtgeorne þam cyninge, in þære stowe þe is gecueden Agælesþrep, ⁊ his broþur Horsan man ofslog; ⁊ æfter þam Hengest feng to rice ⁊ Æsc his sunu.
In modern English:
Here Hengest and Horsa fought against King Vortigern in the place that is called Aylesford, and his brother Horsa was killed, and after that Hengest and his son Æsc took the kingdom.
[edit] Kentish Chronicle
Nennius' 8th century Kentish Chronicle mentions that two bothers Hors and Hengest arrived from Germany with three keels. This is dated to the year 428 by Nennius' Chronographer. It is said that Vortimer fought vigorously against Hengist and Hors and their people, and expelled them as far as the island called Thanet. However, after being driven out for five years, they returned with more warriors and fought further battles. Hors is said to have fallen at the battle of Episford.
[edit] Derivation of name
It is often said that his name is Anglo-Saxon for "stud", but this is not quite accurate: the Anglo-Saxon for "horse" is hors (genitive horses), while "stud" (or "stallion") would rather be an appropriate translation of Hengest's name. His name Horsa (genitive Horsan) looks like a hypocoristic (pet-name) form for a compound word name whose first component is Hors-.
[edit] See also
- Airspeed Horsa - World War II glider
- List of monarchs of Kent
- White horse of Kent
| New title Conquest
|
King of Kent 455/456-488 with Hengest |
Succeeded by Oisc |
|
||||||||
