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Simon Keynes, in his review of M.J. Whittock’s book The Origins of England 410-600, rightly speaks1 of the important choice between striking a British or an Anglo-Saxon attitude during those two centuries. There can be little doubt, however, that the heroic exploits of Britain’s Christian King Arthur — the great hero of the Celto-Brythons — completely overshadows the ferocious advances made against his countrymen by the English Anglo-Saxons who were then still unchristianized.
The famous historian Edward Gibbon relates2 that in a century of implacable war from A.D. 432 to 532, much courage and some skill must have been exerted for the defence of Britain. The tomb of Vortimer the son of Vortigern was erected on the sea-shore. It was a landmark formidable to the Saxons whom he had thrice vanquished on the fields of Kent.
