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 In the spring
of this year, the leader of the Saxons who dwelt in the region of the
River Weser in North West Germany called into council all the elders of
the tribe. In the township by the river, Aelle accepted their
allegiance, together with his three sons Cymen, Lencing and Cissa and
his young daughter Elfreda. There was much distress among the people
because of the harsh winter, and because of raids by neighbours who
wrongly stole their cattle and the food they had diligently produced. So
Aelle decreed that he would lead a battle group of his kinsman across
the seas to a country called Albion by the Romans of old. He would
obtain new and rich lands, as Hengist had done in 449, and settle all
his people there. It was also decreed that a fleet should be built and
stores assembled. Then a gathering of the tribe made supplications to
the god Thor, and the heavens gave their sanctions to the wishes of the
people.
May 477 - During the winter two fast war ships had been
completed, also a command vessel and two heavy transports. After these
had been loaded with food and equipment, Aelle and his sons Cymen and
Cissa went aboard with their escorts of fighting men. Then the boats
moved down the river and out to sea, watched from a hill-top by all the
people, including Lencing who remained behind to protect them.
Each evening the fleet pulled up onto a deserted shore, and camped
quietly for the night. Later they were delayed for several days by a
great storm, and had to wait in a sheltered inlet, but at last Aelle
gave the order to turn away from the land and cross the wide channel
towards the new country he had been told about. After many hours,
everyone was weary, some were anxious and dismayed, but there was great
excitement when green hills and white cliffs were seen. A camp was set
up on the rocky shore, and guards were placed around.
June 477 (1st Week) - Cissa led a patrol along the beach,
and climbed a steep ravine to the cliff top where many cattle were
grazing on the rolling hills of verdant grass. Inland were large
forests, and in every clearing there were villages and farm buildings.
This was the Kingdom of Kent, and strangers would not be welcome, so
Cissa returned quickly to the safety of the camp on the sea shore. Next
morning Aelle departed before dawn, and thus avoided the large groups of
soldiers who approached from both sides. For several days the fleet
moved westwards along the shore, past flat and marshy land and desolate
beaches, and past the hilly area where the tribe of Haesta lived
(Hastings).
(2nd Week) - The journey continued. There were more high
white cliffs, and several places where rivers flowed into the sea. Cissa
led another patrol inland, and reported that the land was now reasonably
level, and was perfect for agriculture, so Aelle ordered the boats to
proceed along the coast searching for a suitable place for a permanent
camp. They passed round a large flat head land (Selsey Bill) and then
went ashore near an inlet leading into sheltered inland water. Cymen was
the first person to land, and so the place was named Cymenesora
(probably near the Witterings).
(3rd Week) - A defensive camp was established within easy reach of the
boats, strong points were set up, and armed patrols were constantly
maintained. Aelle warned his men to be prepared for battle, and sure
enough three days later they were attacked by a force of natives, who
made a lot of noise but who were ill-equipped and badly led, so they
were easily put to flight.
 (4th
Week) - Aelle was worried because he felt sure that his forces
were insufficient to repel a more determined attack, so Cissa led a
strong patrol each day to penetrate deep into enemy country. Little was
discovered at first but on the third day they came to a group of farm
buildings and cottages on a small hill near an inland waterway. Cissa
stormed into this hamlet but found it empty, so he moved on to a high
point nearby. He then saw that the inlet came to an end with a series of
quays and warehouses, but across to the right was a frightening sight,
for here there was a very large fortified town, with many houses, and
surrounded by a wall of great strength. Outside there was a military
encampment where hundreds of men were moving about. It was obvious that
a large army was being gathered together from the surrounding
countryside. Cissa withdrew at once, and reported back to Aelle and his
commanders knew that they could not overcome such a large enemy force,
so they made plans to leave by sea, at short notice. Patrols were
substantially increased, by day and night, to give early warning of an
enemy approach, and the ships were made ready.
July 477 (1st Week) - At this time, Aelle sent a small
force in a fast boat to explore the inlets and waterways, and to look
for an area that could be more easily defended. It was under the command
of Bosa, a fleet captain, who was told he must return within two days.
That evening a scout reported that there was great activity in the enemy
camp, and the following morning three large army groups were seen moving
southwards. One of these was approaching directly towards Aelle's
position, but the first clash of patrols did not occur until mid-day.
Then began a general withdrawal to the boats, section by section, and
the rear-guards were ordered to move rapidly about, to give the
impression that a large force was present. The enemy only advanced with
great caution, so everyone was aboard the boats and well out to sea
before the British soldiers reached the beach. By great fortune, Bosa
and his boat arrived back at this moment and announced that there was a
suitable land to the west. Accordingly, Aelle ordered the fleet to sail
in the opposite direction until outside of the enemy. Later, he turned
back westwards on the ebb tide, moved past the inlet, and landed on a
sloping beach of small pebbles (Hayling Island). The whole area was
deserted, and Aelle remained there for some days while reorganising his
forces.
(2nd Week) - Bosa explained that three miles beyond the
first inlet there was another one, and that these two waterways joined
together about four miles inland, thus forming an island between them.
This island was much wider in the south than in the north, and in the
middle it narrowed to only about a half a mile. The land was flat, and
of good quality; it could be easily defended, because when the water was
low it was surrounded by a great deal of soft mud. Aelle ordered his
commanders to explore the whole area, and later they reported that the
island was uninhabited except for a small number of hamlets. These had
been overcome, and the prisoners brought back to work in the camp. Aelle
discovered an ancient stronghold, left behind by the Romans (Tourner
Bury), and here he made his headquarters. There were salt works nearby,
and safe places to keep the boats. The defence of the island was
organised, and plans were made for the maintenance of a permanent camp.
(3rd Week) - At this time a large rally was held to honour
the gods who had blessed Aelle and his men with a safe journey and a
successful settlement in a new land. It was decreed that the island
should be named Aellinga (Hayling) since it was the place where the
followers of the great leader Aelle would reside. Small boat crews were
organised, and Cymen in a fighting ship and Bosa in a transport left on
a long journey back to Germany to collect as many reinforcements as
possible. Aelle wished them fair weather and told them to avoid all
other boats, and not to contact any natives on shore.
(4th Week)- Twenty men in two small boats were seen to land on the
southern shore, and Aelle sent an armed force to bring them to him.
Their leaders were named Diddel and Beppa, and they also came from north
Germany. They had made a settlement further west along the British
shore, but had been driven out with many losses by a large force of
natives. They swore allegiance to Aelle, and were accepted with much
rejoicing.
September 477 - In this month Cymen and Bosa returned from
Germany with many ships and a great many men. They also brought large
amounts of food and other supplies, especially seed for planting in the
new land. Only once had they seen any enemy boats, but these had
disappeared during the night. Lencing now had only a small defence force
in Germany, to protect the women and children, and the elderly. These
were ready to leave as soon as boats were again available. Aelle was
greatly pleased, since he now had sufficient forces to combat any
possible attack that might be made upon him. After two days of
celebrations, Cymen and Bosa left once more for Germany.
December 477 - In this month, the last boats arrived, with
the women and children. Great was the rejoicing, and a large gathering
paid tribute to Aelle and his commanders. The journey had been an
arduous one, because of bad weather and rough seas on several occasions.
The crews and passengers had often been cold and wet, but now they had
new huts that were prepared for them. The headquarters stronghold became
also a small town, and a number of farm hamlets were established.
478 - Aelle and his son Cissa led strong raiding parties
by boat to many different places on the mainland, where they surprised
and harried the British, and drove the farmers from their fields. So
great was the alarm they caused, that it was only in the larger villages
and in the capital city that the enemy felt secure.
 479
- In this year, Aelle and his son Cymen led two attack forces from the
mainland, where they completely destroyed five large villages. Then they
advanced on the main capital town both from the South and from the East,
but halted within sight of the town walls. Those within the city saw
that the attackers did not have many men, so they rushed forth to
destroy them. At this very moment, Cissa arrived at the western gates
with a large army, and he attacked the town with great ferocity and
courage. There was much slaughter, and the enemy were utterly defeated.
Large numbers were driven northwards over the little hills into the wood
which was called Andredesleag (Sussex Weald). Cissa took command of the
town, and it was named Cissa-cester (Chichester).
480 - Aelle now controlled all the countryside for a great
distance around Cissa-cester, and he moved his headquarters from
Aellinga Island to the mainland. At a huge gathering near the town, all
of Aelle's followers and also the local tribal leaders, paid homage to
Aelle and gave him the title of King of the Suf-sexe (South Saxons =
Sussex).
483 - Aelle and his sons made journeys through the kingdom
in many directions, and received the allegience of all the local
leaders, especially those to the east, where the followers of Wurth
resided (Worthing). In this year also, many of Aelle's commanders
settled their own families in the area. Bosa, the skilled captain of the
boats made his home near an inlet from the sea, at Bosa-ham (Bosham).
Cocca, the farmer, took over the fertile land near the hills and called
it Cocca-ing (Cocking). Diddel and Beppa also created small farmsteads
at Diddel-ing (Didling) and Beppa-tun (Bepton).
485 - Aelle gathered a large army and marched to the east,
where he came upon a strong force of British encamped upon a hillside
near a burna (stream). Here at Mearcraedesburne (believed to be near
Shoreham) a fierce battle was fought, but at nightfall both sides
withdrew. Although the result was indecisive, the authority of Aelle in
the coastal area was never challenged again.
488 - During the summer, the people of Kent became without
a leader, and Aesc succeeded to this Kingdom, which had been formed
years before by Hengist. When Aelle received this information, he set up
a magnificent court, and made a royal progress across the Kingdom of
Sussex to meet with the King of Kent on the borders of their lands. The
two kings paid homage to each other with much ceremony, and agreed that
never would they engage in aggression against each other. The leader of
the people of Haesta (Hastings) was also present, but had no influence
on events.
491 - King Aelle now sought to improve the eastern part of
his kingdom where disobedience and treason had occurred. He and Cissa
formed a large army, and marched along the coast, exacting due tribute
as they passed. When they reached Andredescester (the Roman fort of
Anderida, Pevensey) they besieged the rebels and natives who were
enclosed therein, and attacked them continuously. Eventually all the
inhabitants were killed - no one survived. After this the people of
Haesta submitted to King Aelle - they acceded to the Kingdom of Sussex,
and did no further ill.
495 - In this year two Saxon warriors, Cerdic and his son
Creoda, came to Britain with many men and after a fight with the natives
they established a settlement in the area (probably on the eastern side
of Southampton Water).
496 - King Aelle and his court travelled westwards,
together with many soldiers. He met with Cerdic, and the two men had
great respect and friendship for each other. Cerdic had extended his
influence greatly since his arrival, and he sought the help of King
Aelle in forcing the native British still further to the west. Aelle was
accompanied by his daughter Elfreda, and the young prince Creoda was
with Cerdic.
497 - On 1st June, Elfreda, the daughter of the youngest
child of King Aelle of Sussex, was married to Creoda, the eldest son of
Cerdic who was now an established leader of the West Saxons. Thus was
united the two most powerful communities in the south. At first, the
South Saxons were dominant, but later on a Kingdom of Wessex was
established which prospered greatly. The wedding was a cause of much
celebration, and many noble men travelled great distances to be present.
508 - Aelle and Cissa led a strong army into the country
of the West Saxons, and combined with Cerdic who had very large forces.
Together they swept forward beyond Hamtun (later Suth-hamtun =
Southampton), and fought a British prince who was named Natanleod, who
was killed in the battle together with a great many of his followers.
Afterwards the district was called Natanleag (believed to be Netley
Marsh) and extended as far as Cerdicesford (believed to be Charford, by
the River Avon on the borders of Hampshire and Wiltshire).
510 - The combined forces of Cerdic and Aelle again moved
westwards, and won many battles against the natives. But then they were
confronted by a very great King of the British who came from Wales and
the west country (this was the mythical King Arthur). At Mons Badonicus
(Mount Baden, which may possibly be Bradbury Rings in Dorset) he
occupied a very strong encampment. Although Cerdic and Aelle attacked
the British prince repeatedly and with great valour, they were unable to
overcome him, and eventually had to withdraw. Arthur followed them back
to the boundaries of their kingdoms, and after that there was
comparative peace in the land for over forty years.
517 - In this year, the great King Aelle, the first
Bretwalda ('ruler of all Britain') became ill with a fever, and passed
away on 24th June at his palace near Chichester, when the summer sun was
at its highest in the heavens. His son Cissa succeeded to the Kingdom of
Sussex, and ruled over that land, but he paid deference to the King of
Wessex.
534 - In March, Cynric the son of Creoda and Elfreda
succeeded to the Kingdom of Wessex. He was the grandson, both of Cerdic
and Aelle, and from him the long line of Saxon kings of Wessex and of
England were descended.
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