Hengest of Kent (425-500) was King of Kent from 455 to 460, succeeding Gwyrangon and preceding Horsa.
Biography[]
Hengest was the son of Wihtgils Wihtgilsing and the brother of Horsa, and he became a widely-respected warrior and mercenary. Vortigern, king of the Romano-British, brought the brothers to Roman Britain as generals to lead his armies against the Picts and Irish. Vortigern then granted them Gwyrangon's lands in Kent in exchange for his help and the hand of Hengest's daughter in marriage. However, Hengest and Horsa revolted, killing Vortigern's son and adding the Kingdom of Sussex and the Kingdom of Essex to their own lands. Hengest died in 500 and was succeeded by his brother Horsa.