Proposed timeline

for the 5th century

406	A man is elected emperor of the Praefectura Gallica by the legions in Britain. He adopts the name Constantine III. He reinforces the local tax administration and departs with most British troops to the Continent to impose his authority.
408	The tax administration in Britain is deposed. Local lords are fed up paying for futile continental ambitions while they are left without a proper protection at home. Their social position is endangered. They begin to form their own local guards, allegedly against raiders.
409-420	The proto-English lords discover the advantages of having their local guardsmen led and trained by loyal Anglo-Saxons. Although the move is illegal, they invite more and more such north-German professionals as bodyguards.
410	It's now clear that Constantine III is a failure. So western emperor Honorius is polled about the restoration of imperial power in Britain. But there is one condition: the return of imperial legions to Britain. Honorius refuses, as he faces the Goths, declares that Britain has now to defend itself, while it has to continue to pay taxes to him.
411	Constantine II is beheaded.
411-423	Honorius continues to rule as a powerless emperor. Britain awaits a new emperor who can revoke Honorius' decision.
423-424	Honorius dies. A tilting point for Britain. A letter for help is sent to a certain Agitius. It is thought that this person is Aetius. Valentianus III is the new but very young emperor. Young Aetius is commander in chief of the army, clearly more powerful than the emperor, but refuses. Aetius might have been seen by some as the new emperor.
425	Vortigern is elected as chairman of the London senate.
426	The east-British lords fear the return of the empire. They can be punished for having a personal guard. The emperor always was the commander of all troops within the Empire.
427	A compromise is agreed in the senate: a local law will legalize the 'guard-system' but those guards will now officially fall under the authority of the London senate. It is an intermediate solution about who commands British troops. No problem: most lords with guards also have a seat in the Senate. A committee will be appointed to scrutinize the new Anglo-saxons candidates, and lead them to their final destination. This will form the core for the new army which later can be handed over to the emperor.
428	Adventus Saxonum. Hengest is officially welcomed by Vortigern. He is appointed as leading person within the selection committee. He has to work and live in Thanet (Margate). The Anglo-Saxons are instructed to remain within the proto-English (east) part of England.
428-442	The guard system is further developed. Over equipped, some lords separate themselves of some redundant soldiers. No problem: a 'core' or 'reserve unit' absorbs them. The question of who can lead the 'new army' remains unresolved. Hengest is proposed as a compromise. It's a period of relative peace. But the Welsh opposition grows. A new generation of (British born) Anglo-Saxons gradually takes over their father's tasks.
442-444 ?	After three consecutive harvest failures, the country is in a dire state. Famine lurks. Many lords see themselves obliged to dismiss low ranking persons in their guards, mainly Britons, but also some Anglo-Saxons. This triggers a general upraise of the landless and hungry population. A situation of total chaos breaks out, aggravated by raids. The remaining Anglo-Saxon guards are overwhelmed. Hengest takes the lead: he gathers his army, at the service of the senate. He is joint by a Welsh force. In the first two battles two rebel forces are easily crushed. The Welsh see an opportunity and turn against Hengest but are defeated. A last rebel force is eventually chased by Hengest.
445	A new gathering of the senate. Decided is to reorganize the national defense system in military provinces. Loyal Hengest is appointed Military Governor of Kent. Soon after, Vortigern marries his daughter. What happens in the other provinces is unclear, but probable is that powerful informal leaders are confirmed as 'governors'. Most of them are native proto-English lords. They begin to name themselves 'Anglian' or 'Saxon' meaning: "We shall defend our ancestral status as if we were Anglians/Saxons."
447	Vortigern quits the Senate and retires in Wales. He is later besieged by Welshmen and dies.
467	His successor tries to restore the authority of the senate in southwest England. He is stopped at Wallop. The Brythonic speaking part of Britain is now mostly independent of 'London'.
500	The lord of Bath rallies the Welsh politicians. His city is quickly occupied by proto-English forces. The Welsh gather their troops and the proto-English experience a crushing defeat.
500-577	Period of peace. The expansion of the English to the west is halted. This ends with the battle of Dyrham, won by the English.

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