Haestingas
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The Haestingas, or alternatatively Heastingas or Hæstingas, were one of the tribes of Anglo-Saxon Britain. The Kingdom of Haestingas was located in modern-day Sussex,[1] and was one of the minor sub-kingdoms of the Heptarchy.
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[edit] Early History
When Ælle of Sussex came to Britain in 491, he soon forged the Saxon kingdom of Sussex. Soon after Ælle arrived, a Saxon tribe known as the Haestingas appeared in the southeastern region of Sussex.[2] It is believed that they were named so after a chieftain or ruler called Haesta, as in the Old English language, Haestingas means "Haesta's People".[3] Haesta by itself, however, means "violent".[4] The Kingdom of Haestingas was most likely very small, extending only a few leagues from the center of their kingdom, which became known as "Haestingas."[5] This city is better known under the Anglicised name Hastings.[6]
[edit] Later History
In 771, Offa of Mercia conquered all of Sussex, effectively ending the reign of the Haestingas.[7] [8] [9] The legacy of the Haestingas, however, lives on in the town named after them.[10] [11] Hastings was the city used to stage the Norman conquest of England which ended Anglo-Saxon rule of the island nation.[12] Also, Haestingas is used as a male name in the English language.[13]
[edit] Sources
[edit] External links
Map of Anglo-Saxon England, showing Haestingas in Suth Seaxe
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