c.375-385 |
Birth of Aurelius Ambrosius (Ambrosius
the Elder). |
c.390-397 |
Association with "Circle
of Ambrose". |
c.405-415 |
Aurelius Ambrosius joins the
Roman senate. |
406/417-20 |
Most probable period in which
Aurelius Ambrosius was appointed consular governor of Maxima
Caesariensis. Best chronological fit would be between 417-420,
and necessitate a Roman attempt to regain authority in parts of the
old British diocese. Similar attempts were made in Armorica and
northern Gaul, at this time, with varied and intermittent success. |
c.410-425 |
Aurelius Ambrosius is the
official representative of Honorius to British provincial council.
"Wearing of the purple." Possible failure of
effective Roman support during this time. |
c.418-425 |
Rise of influence and power of
Vortigern, culminating in his High-Kingship. |
425 |
Beginning of Vortigern's
High-Kingship over much of Britain. The provincial council has
decided, external factors dictate, the need for strong, central,
leadership. Aurelius Ambrosius can offer no firm alternative. |
428/9 |
First use of Saxon foederati
by Vortigern. |
429 |
First visit of St. Germanus to
combat Pelagianism. The doctrine is supported by Vortigern.
Legendary assistance, by St. Germanus, in founding of Welsh
dynasties in conjunction with Vortigern's sons. Hallelujah
Victory. |
c.432-436 |
Decision of council, led by
Aurelius Ambrosius, to relocate Cunedda and followers to parts of
Wales to counter the Irish threat. Vortigern acquiesces and
assigns Ambrosius "Dinas Emrys and all the western lands".
i.e., Ambrosius becomes the architect for the defence of these
areas. This was motivated by the councils reluctance to depend
entirely on German mercenaries, with their constant demands for
increased provisions, especially in an area were they would be
lightly supervised. Cunedda and his followers would be
self-supporting. |
c.433-438 |
Birth of Aurelius Ambrosius
Aurelianus. His mother was probably of British descent and
considerably younger than Ambrosius the Elder. |
c.435-437 |
Delivery of Kent to Hengist
and Horsa by Vortigern. In part for the hand of Hengist's
daughter, in part to compensate for the British councils refusal to
increase provisions to Vortigern's Kentish foederati. |
437/438 |
Open rift between Ambrosius'
faction and Vortigern. Battle of Wallop. Probably
followed by a period of civil strife in eastern and southern
Britain. |
439-440 |
German foederati take
advantage of British unrest and openly revolt, citing as
cause, failure of British to supply provisions. Flow of
provisions may have been reduced to nil as a consequence of British
civil war. |
441 |
Gallic chronicles report large
sections of Britain under German control following Saxon revolt.
Communications between Britain and Gaul disrupted. |
442/443 |
Probable death of Ambrosius
the Elder, "who was killed in these same broils", i.e. the
Saxon revolt. Ambrosius' surviving family is in hiding by now. |
441-450 |
British resistance to Saxons
under the leadership of Vortigern's sons, especially Vortimer and
Categirn. Four major engagements and several minor ones take
place. Categirn and Horsa are killed in the fighting. |
447 |
Second visit of St. Germanus
to Britain. By this time, Saxons are contained in some areas
by Vortimer. |
c.450-451 |
Probable death of Vortimer.
British offensive stalemates. |
c.455 |
British betrayal at peace
conference. Collapse of British military in east and south of
Britain. Vortigern cedes territory to gain his freedom but,
despised by all, dies shortly after. |
c.455-460 |
British, lacking strong
leadership, are overwhelmed. Saxons raid from Kent to the
Severn valley. Mass migration of British upper class to Armorica. |
c.460 |
Aurelius Ambrosius Aurelianus
becomes involved in British affairs, organising British resistance.
During a period of respite, many British flock to his standard. He
initiates a British counter offensive. |
460s-480s |
Extended period of fighting to
and fro. Fortification of defensive sites and stationing of
troops by Ambrosius. Ambrosius is recognised as High-King by
much of Britain. Assistance of the "warlike Arthur" in the
latter part of his reign, who commands the mobile field force. |
480s |
Death of Ambrosius. His
sons rule small kingdoms in the east and south of Britain. Arthur
remains active, and may have claimed the High-Kingship. |
c.500 |
Battle of Mons Badonicus. |
c.521 |
Battle of Camlann. Maeglwn of
Gwynedd claims supremacy over British. |
c.540-545 |
Gildas writes De Excidio
Brittaniae, Ambrosius' grandchildren are active: "His
descendants in our day have become greatly inferior to their
grandfather's excellence." |
c.545 |
There is plague in Britain,
the British are much more seriously afflicted than the Saxons. |
547 |
Death of Maeglwn of Gwynedd. |
c.550 |
Resumption of Saxon advance. |