Monument record TQ 75 NW 504 - The Battle Of Aylesford 455 / The Battle Of Aegelesthrep

The Battle of Aylesford, or Aegelesthrep as it is known in Old English, was fought in 455 between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons in present day Kent. The battle was recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the Historia Brittonum, both of which were written in the 9th century – around 400 years after the battle. Both of these texts agree that the battle involved the Saxon leaders Hengist and Horsa who were Germanic brothers that led the Angle, Saxon and Jutish armies who conquered the first British territories in the 5th century AD. The family of Vortigern was said to have fought for the Britons but it is not documented what the outcome of the battle was.
However, sources that document the battle vary in their detail and information. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle states that Horsa was killed and that his son Oisc became the King of Kent. The Historia Brittonum states that during the battle Horsa was killed as well as Vortigern’s brother Catigern. The text does not state who won the battle.
There are two neolithic chambers near to Aylesford named Kit’s Coty House and White Horse Stone. Through local tradition these have become known as the burial places of Catigern and Horsa. (1)

There is no evidence to support that these sturctures are the burial places of these historical figures. The barrows predate the battle and aftermath by thousands of years. Long barrows like these were constructed during the early neolithic period between about 4000 and 3000 BC. (1)

The National Grid Reference for this building is: TQ7342858997 (2)

<1> Peter Higginbotham, Higginbotham, Peter. 2000. The Workhouse. (Website). SKE53741.

<2> 2008, Ordnance Survey Map 1:1250, 2008 (OS Card Reference). SKE59095.