Editing Hengist and Horsa (section)

====Book 8====
In Cambria, [[Merlin]] prophesied to Vortigern that the brothers [[Ambrosius Aurelianus|Aurelius Ambrosius]] and [[Uther Pendragon]] (who had fled to [[Armorica]] as children after Vortigern killed their brother [[Constans II (son of Constantine III)|Constans]] and their father, King [[Constantine III (Western Roman emperor)|Constantine]]) would return to have their revenge and defeat the Saxons. They arrived the next day, and, after rallying the dispersed Britons, Aurelius was proclaimed king. Aurelius marched into Cambria and burned Vortigern alive in his tower, before setting his sights upon the Saxons.<ref name=THOMPSON149>Thompson (1842:149).</ref>

Hengist was struck by terror at the news of Vortigern's death and fled with his army beyond the Humber. He took courage at the approach of Aurelius and selected the bravest among his men to defend him. Hengist told these chosen men not to be afraid of Aurelius, for he had brought less than 10,000 Armorican Britons (the native Britons were hardly worth taking into account), while there were 200,000 Saxons. Hengist and his men advanced towards Aurelius in a field called Maisbeli (probably Ballifield, near [[Sheffield]]),<ref>{{cite journal |last=English |first=Mark |date=2014 |title=Maisbeli: A Place-Name Problem from Geoffrey of Monmouth |journal= Notes & Queries |volume= 259 |pages= 11–13 |doi= 10.1093/notesj/gjt236 }}</ref> intending to take the Britons by surprise, but Aurelius anticipated them.<ref name=THOMPSON149/>

As they marched to meet the Saxons, [[Eldol, Consul of Gloucester|Eldol]], Duke of [[Gloucester]], told Aurelius that he greatly wished to meet Hengist in combat, noting that "one of the two of us should die before we parted". He explained that he had been at the [[Treachery of the Long Knives]], but had escaped when God threw him a stake to defend himself with, making him the only Briton present to survive. Meanwhile, Hengist was placing his troops into formation, giving directions, and walking through the lines of troops, "the more to spirit them up".<ref name=THOMPSON150-151>Thompson (1842:150–151).</ref>

With the armies in formation, battle began between the Britons and Saxons, both sides suffering "no small loss of blood". Eldol focused on attempting to find Hengist, but had no opportunity to fight him. "By the especial favour of God" the Britons took the upper hand, and the Saxons withdrew and made for Kaerconan ([[Conisbrough]]). Aurelius pursued them, killing or enslaving any Saxon he met on the way. Realizing Kaerconan would not hold against Aurelius, Hengist stopped outside the town and ordered his men to make a stand, "for he knew that his whole security now lay in his sword".<ref name=THOMPSON151-152>Thompson (1842:151–152).</ref>

Aurelius reached Hengist, and a "most furious" fight ensued, with the Saxons maintaining their ground despite heavy losses. They came close to winning before a detachment of horses from the Armorican Britons arrived. When [[Gorlois]], Duke of [[Cornwall]], arrived, Eldol knew the day was won and grabbed Hengist's helmet, dragging him into the British ranks. The Saxons fled. Hengist's son Octa retreated to [[York]] and his kinsman Eosa to Alclud ([[Dumbarton]]).<ref name=THOMPSON153>Thompson (1842:153).</ref>

Three days after the battle, Aurelius called together a council of principal officers to decide what to do with Hengist. Eldol's brother Eldad, Bishop of Gloucester, said: 
<blockquote>
:Though all should be unanimous for setting him at liberty, yet would I cut him to pieces. The prophet [[Samuel]] is my warrant, who, when he had [[Agag]], king of [[Amalek]], in his power, hewed him in pieces, saying, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. Do therefore the same to Hengist, who is a second Agag.<ref name=THOMPSON154>Thompson (1842:154).</ref>
</blockquote>
Consequently, Eldol drew Hengist out of the city and cut off his head. Aurelius, "who showed moderation in all his conduct", arranged for him to be buried and for a [[tumulus|mound]] to be raised over his corpse, according to the custom of pagans.<ref name=THOMPSON154/> Octa and Eosa surrendered to Aurelius, who granted them the country bordering Scotland and made a firm covenant with them.<ref name=THOMPSON154-155>Thompson (1842:154–155).</ref>