Prompt Cast
The Treachery of the Long Knives: A Betrayal in British History
TLDR In the late 5th century, warlord Vortigern hired Saxon mercenaries to fight off enemies, but his plan backfired when he was betrayed by Hengist, who ordered the Saxons to kill all the Briton nobles except Vortigern. This event, known as the treachery of the long knives, has become a part of history and has been referenced in various other historical events and contexts.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
A king hired mercenaries to help him maintain power, but his plan backfired.
01:19
The events in question date back to the late 5th century, a period of British history with major holes, where warlords and kings vied for power and King Arthur may have ruled.
02:30
Vortigern, a warlord and leader of the Britons, hired Saxon mercenaries, Hengist and Horsa, to fight off the Picts and Scots in exchange for the Isle of Thanet.
03:35
Hengist's daughter Rowena gets Vortigern drunk and he offers Hengist the entire kingdom of Kent for her hand in marriage, giving the Saxons a foothold in Britain.
04:45
Hengist tricks Vortigern into inviting him back to Britain with a large army, under the pretense of a peace conference, but the Briton nobles are outraged at the betrayal.
05:57
At a peace conference, Hengist orders the Saxons to kill all the Briton nobles, sparing only Vortigern, which became known as the treachery of the long knives, but the historical accuracy of this event is questionable.
07:15
The treachery of the long knives, whether fact or fiction, has become a part of history and has been referenced in various other historical events and contexts.
