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.