As the lights went out on Roman Britain at the beginning of the fifth century AD, new rulers and their dominions emerged. According to tradition, one such leader was the Saxon Ælle, who is credited with the foundation of the Kingdom of Sussex on England’s south coast before the end of the century.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle tells us: AD 477: Ælle and his three sons, Cymen and Wlencing and Cissa, came to the land of Britain with three ships at the place which is named Cymenshore, and there killed many Welsh and drove some to flight into the wood called Andresweald. AD 485: Here Ælle fought against the Welsh near the Mearcredesburn. AD 491: Here Ælle and Cissa besieged Andredesceaster, and killed all who lived in there; there was not even one Briton left there.
(A little note on names here: various versions of the Chronicle and later authors use a variety of spellings; in this article I’ve opted for those I find easiest to read!)