Hengest

Hengest or Hengist (?-488) was ruler of Kent, England. The facts of his life are unknown, but according to Bede, he and his brother Horsa were mercenaries for Vortigern, hired to fight against the Picts. Following his victories over the Picts, Hengest invited more immigrants from Germany to settle in Britain, turned on Vortigern, and established himself as king.

Later accounts, in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the Historia Britonum, by Geoffrey of Monmouth, and by Robert Wace add further details from tradition and legend about Hengest's career. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle dates his death to 488, but does not provide a cause.