26

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

chap. Scot*, and proceeded to open hostility against*• the Britons.

The Britons, impelled by these violent extre-mities, and rouzed to indignation against theirtreacherous auxiliaries, were neccstitated to takearms; and having deposed Vortigern, who had, become odious from his vices, and horn the bad

event of his rash counsels, they put themselvesunder the command of his Ion, Vortimer. Theyfought many battles with their enemies; and thoughthe victories in these actions be disputed betweenthe British and Saxon annalists, the progress stillmade by the Saxons prove that the advantagewas commonly on their side. In one battle, how-ever, fought at Eglesford , now Ailsford, Horsa,the Saxon general, was stain; and left the lolecommand over his countrymen m the hands ofHengist. This active general, continually rein-forced by fresh numbers from Germany, carrieddevastation into the most remote corners of Bri-tain ; and being chiefly anxious to spread the terrorof his arms, he spared neither age, nor sex, norcondition, wherever he marched with his victo-rious forces. The private and public edifices ofthe Britons were reduced to ashes: The priestswere slaughtered on the altars by those idolatrousravagers: The bishops and nobility shared thefate of the vulgar: The people, flying to themountains and deserts , were intercepted andbutchered in heaps: Some were glad to accept oflife and servitude under their victors: Others,deserting their native country, took shelter in the