The complex collection of historical annals known collectively as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is the Anglo-Saxon's own attempt to write history, both theirs and their place in the wider narrative of Christendom. Here for example is the entry for AD 449, which contains the Anglo-Saxon origin myth.
"This
year Marcian and Valentinian assumed the empire, and reigned seven winters. In
their days Hengest and Horsa, invited by Wurtgern, king of the Britons to his
assistance, landed in Britain in a place that is called Ipwinesfleet; first of
all to support the Britons, but they afterwards fought against them. The king
directed them to fight against the Picts; and they did so; and obtained the
victory wheresoever they came. They then sent to the Angles, and desired them
to send more assistance. They described the worthlessness of the Britons, and the
richness of the land. They then sent them greater support. Then came the men
from three powers of Germany; the Old Saxons, the Angles, and the Jutes. From
the Jutes are descended the men of Kent, the Wightwarians (that is, the tribe
that now dwelleth in the Isle of Wight), and that kindred in Wessex that men
yet call the kindred of the Jutes. From the Old Saxons came the people of Essex
and Sussex and Wessex. From Anglia, which has ever since remained waste between
the Jutes and the Saxons, came the East Angles, the Middle Angles, the
Mercians, and all of those north of the Humber. Their leaders were two
brothers, Hengest and Horsa; who were the sons of Wihtgils; Wihtgils was the
son of Witta, Witta of Wecta, Wecta of Woden. From this Woden arose all our
royal kindred, and that of the Southumbrians also."
Originally compiled in Wessex, probably at about the time of Alfred the Great (849-899) multiple copies were distributed around English monasteries and independently updated. Nine manuscripts of varying historical value survive.
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