King Arthur as Vortimer

Arthur and Vortimer: A Look at the Matches Evidences.
 

Is Arthur son of Uther the same as Vortimer son of Vortigern?
In this short paper we take a look at the matches of the names
and details of Arthur and Vortimer, and Uther and Vortigern in an
attempt to show why we see this match is feasible, and in attempt
to answer some of the criticisms.
 

1. Matches between Arthur and Vortimer.

Both similar names and similar fathers' names:
* Arthur:
His name is Artus/Arthus /Arzhur/Arthur/Arthwr/Artuir/Artur /Arturo  /Arturus/Arthurus /Arturius (HB, AC, HRB).
He is son of Uter/Uther (Pendragon) (and Igerne/Igraine) (HB, HRB/DGB).
* Vortimer:
His name is Vortimer/Guorthemir/Gwerthefyr/Gwrthefyr (HB, HRB/DGB).
He is son of Vortigern (HB, HRB).
* Both:
Both names Uther (&/or Igerne) & Arthur, and Vortiger(n) & Vortimer/Gw(e)rthefyr of both sources are very similar and linguistically able to match when considering all spellings/pronounciations versions of the 4 names. The only major dispute is with the Gw- of Vortimer, and this being dropped or interchanging or corresonded is not as a major issue as some people make out. Compare Gwarthur & Arthur, Arthur/"Wart", Garthwys/Arthwys, Loyngarth/Llwynarth, Gwarthan & Artan or Arthen.
No one has found any historical person with the name Arthur/Uther in historical sources like the Gallic Chronices, DEB, EH, ASC, so therefore either Arthur/Uther didn't exist or he didn't have a name exactly spelt Arthur/Uther or he was/is an obscure/minor/unknown/lesser figure.
In the HRB/DEB there are indeed 4 or 2 persons coming in between Vortigern and Arthur (Vortigern, Vortimer, Vortigern, Merlin/Ambrosius, Uther, Arthur), but the HRB is not a reliable source and it developed and added more to the earlier DEB and HB. Duplicating persons is not unknown in traditions or literature. Moreoever, genealogically Vortigern and Vortimer are a different parallel genealogical line to Ambrosius or Uther and Arthur. Genealogically there is only Ambrosius or Uther and Arthur parallel to Vortigern and Vortimer between Vortigern and Arthur (HRB).
The HB does mention all of Vortigern, Vortimer, Ambrosius/Emrys, Uter/Uther (only in some versions and not necessarily as a separate person to Arthur), and Arthur, but it is not in a definite orderly succession, and Nennius admitted he "heaped" alot together haphazard.
In the DEB there is only the sequence Vortigern, Ambrosius, and the progeny of Ambrosius or 5 contemporary tyrants or 4 beasts (which the HRB/DGB makes 4 successive kings).
Moreover some sources imply that both Vortimer and Arthur fought Octa and were both in the 400s, which closes the alleged gap between the father Vortigern and the son Arthur in the extended HRB succession of kings. 470 slain of Arthur may be a date, and it is only 10 more than the 460 slain of Vortigern's reign.

Both similar series of battles:
* Arthur:
"Three several battles", or 3 x 4 = 12 battles, or 3 x 3 = 9 battles sites (HB, PG), maybe matching 9 SS forts.
(4 battles at Dubglas. 3 battles at Tribruit? 3 days at Jerusalem/Guinnion or Badon.)
His first 3 battles might match the 455, 457 & 465 battles in the ASC.
* Vortimer:
Vortimer offered 12 pennies reward for the head of any heathen brought to him (Layamon).
7 or 8 years civil war (Morant).
Vortimer's "chief ports of the island", maybe matching 9 SS forts.
Vortimer's 4 battles & thrice enclosed (HB, HRB).
"sometimes extended their boundaries by victory, and sometimes were conquered and driven back" (HB).
Vortimer's battles supposedly match the battles of 455, 457, 465/466, & 473 in the ASC.
* Both:
The 1st campaign of Vortimer and the 2nd campaign of Arthur are both treated by various sources/people as being similar, analogous, successive, and therefore there is no reason why they might not be wholly or partly the same rather than wholly successive.

Both 3 days:
* Arthur:
Arthur was at Guinnion &/or Badon for 1 or 3 days (HB, AC).
* Vortimer:
Thrice enclosed (HB).
"Daily" (DGB/HRB).

Both in Kent:
* Arthur:
Collingwood, Jackson, Evans and others consider the HB's words to imply that Arthur fought Saxons and specifically Kentishmen (because they occur immediately after mention of Octa), and the 12 battes or 9 battle sites might match either the Saxon Shore forts, Vortimer's battes, or the ASC battles in Kent, Sussex & Wessex, all 3 of which are primarily in Kent.
* Vortimer:
Vortimer's battles are supposed to match battles in Kent in the ASC, and to match sites in Kent (Dartford/Darent/Crayford, Kit's Coty, Ebbsfleet, Stone in Kent, Richborough, Thanet).
Vortimer was in the east of Britain, on the east of Watling street (Morant).

Both fought same person or person of same time:
* Arthur:
Arthur fought Octa (HB), Osla/Ossa (Rhonabwy), Ossa cousin of Otca/Octa son of Hengist (Dingestow HRB).
* Vortimer:
Vortimer fought Octa/Ebissa (HRB/DGB), Esc/Oisc (ASC).

Both similar not fully historical persons:
* Arthur:
Arthur does not occur under/with that name in any reliable early fully historical source (ASC, EH, DEB, Gallic Chronicles), those he does occur in are late and not fully reliable historical (HB, HRB/DGB, PG, AC, Triads, Gododdin, Mabinogion, Saints Lives). Ergo "Arthur" is not a fully historical person.
* Vortimer:
Vortimer doesn't occur in any fully historical sources (DEB, ASC, EH) but only in not fully historical sources (HB, HRB/DGB, Wace, Layamon), and so he is not a fully historical person.
* Both:
Since both are not fully historical figures there is no problem with identifying them.
To be sure both Arthur and Vortimer occur in the HB and HRB/DGB, but these are not fully reliable historical sources, and Nennius/Mark said he "heaped" alot together, and the HRB/DGB has demonstrably obviously much derived alot from the DEB & HB and extended and developed and added. Duplications of characters is not unknown in tradition or literature.

Both "kings":
* Arthur:
He was a "king" or high king in some sources.
* Vortimer:
He was a king or high king in some sources.

Both similar epithet before/after their name:
* Arthur:
"Arthur the Blessed" ('Taliesin').
'Magnanimous Arthur' (HB).
"king of great praise, one of the most praiseworthy sovereigns of the whole world, the most generous, the most merciful" (24 Kings document).
munificence, generosity (HRB).
politeness (HRB).
code of courtliness (HRB).
code of chivalry/conduct (French Romances).
Arthur reigned in peace for 12 yrs (HRB).
Grants pardon to Scots (HRB).
('Arthur Pendragon'.)
* Vortimer:
'Vortimer Fendiagid' / 'Vortimer the Blessed' / 'St Vortimer'.
"Vortimer's kindness" (HRB/DGB).
"Great man" (HRB).
"to show them all marks of his affection and esteem", "his goodness" (HRB).

Both similar name/place battle site:
* Arthur:
Celidon/Caledon might be the Weald which is the Caledonian wood of Caesar's invasion. Cat Coit Caledon might match Kit's Coty (or Chatham) &/or Coldrum.
* Vortimer:
One of his battles was supposedly at Kit's Coty / Aylesford.

Both similar 400s dates:
* Arthur:
He was in the 400s and/or 500s. (450 in Malory. 470 in HRB, ca 493 in EH.)
* Vortimer:
He was in the 400s.

Both similar "Christian" associations:
* Arthur:
He carried Christ/Cross and/or Mary at Guinnion &/or Badon (HB, AC).
He fought Badon with Dubricius' help/prayer/blessing (HRB).
* Vortimer:
'Vortimer the Blessed' / 'St Vortimer'.
Vortimer held a synod at Guatherniaun (HB).

Both close in time to Vortigern:
* Arthur:
The Life of St Goeznovius seems to suggest that Arthur's campaign took place very soon after the time of Vortigern, if not immediately after it.
"Merlin lived first at the court of Vortigern and then at King Arthur's court", which appears like Arthur comes just after Vortigern?
* Vortimer:
He was son of Vortigern and lead the Britons in battle during Vortigern's reign, and/or was king after Vortigern's 1st reign and before Vortigern's 2nd reign.

Both British/Welsh:
* Arthur:
He was British/Welsh/Celtic.
* Vortimer:
He was British/Welsh/Celtic.

Both similar mysterious grave locations:
* Arthur:
"Arthur's grave not known", "an eternal wonder is the grave of Arthur" (Black Book of Carmarthen).
Arthur's grave is "nowhere seen" (William of Malmesbury).
Arthur died at Camlan (HRB, AC) and sleeps at Avalon (HRB, Triads).
"King Arthur died at Bwlch y Saethau".
Arthur died at city of lions/lyonesse.
(Gawain's grave is at "Rutupi" or "Dover").
* Vortimer:
He was buried in either a brazen pyramid in the port where Saxons first landed (HB, HRB), or in the chief ports of the island, or Trinovantum/London (HRB/DGB), or in Belyn's Gate / London (Wace, Layamon), or Lincoln (Rapin), or Richborough (Vortigern Studies).
The place name Rhyd-yr-afaelin in Vortimer's battle list is maybe similar to Avalon/Afallach?

Both linked with similar south-eastern coastal port(s) :
* Arthur:
The Porter (PG).
Hamo's Port (HRB).
Rutupi (HRB).
* Vortimer:
"the port where Saxons first landed".
"chief ports of the island".

Both connected with similar great saughters:
* Arthur:
Slew 470/940/960/840 at Badon (HB, Irish HB, HRB/DGB).
"Great slaughter" at Guinnion (HB).
Camlan associated with Slaughter Bridge.
* Vortimer:
"the slaughter of the Saxons" at Epsford (HB).

Both similar place name:
* Arthur:
Guinnion/Guinnon/Guinon/Gunnion/Gurnion/Guindoin (HB, Irish HB) of uncertain etymological origin.
* Vortimer:
Gurthrenion/Guartherniaun/Guarenniaun/Gwarthennian.

Both similar messianic return theme:
* Arthur:
"once and future king", "KA's messianic return".
"Arthur is not dead" (Cornish).
* Vortimer:
"before his decease, anxious for the future prosperity of his country, he charged his friends to inter his body at the entrance of the Saxon port, ..." "for though they may inhabit other parts of Britain, yet if you follow my commands, they will never remain in this island." (HB.)
"endeavoured to comfort them in their sorrow and lamentation for him, telling them, he was only going the way of all flesh". (HRB).
"that the sight of his tomb might frighten back the barbarians to Germany. For he said none of them would dare approach the country, that should but get a sight of his tomb. ... as he had been a terror to them while living, endeavoured to be no less so when dead." (HRB).
"because he thought Vortimer was yet living" (HRB/DGB).

Link with Hengist:
* Arthur:
Book of Hergest.
* Vortimer:
Hengist/Hengest.

Both linked with Thanet area:
* Arthur:
"Thanet" and ships in the Badon aftermath chapter of the HRB/DGB.
"Emperor of Rome".
City of the legion was a "2nd Rome".
"Rutupi" (HRB/DGB).
"Riculf/Raculf" (HRB).
"Valley of Suesia" (HRB).
* Vortimer:
Thanet (HB, HRB/DGB).
Epsford (HB, HRB).
* Both:
Thanet was called Ruim/Ruym/Ruoichin/Ruithin.
Thanet is near to both Rutupi & Regubium/Reculver.
Epsford may match the Ebbsfleet & Wantsum-Stour area.
The Wantsum-Stour may match the Valley of Suesia?

Both drove the Saxons out of the island/land:
* Arthur:
The 2nd battle of Clarence was a "great victory ... drives Saxons out of England".
"the pagans/Saxons (were) turned/put in/to flight" &/or "pursued" at Guinnion (HB).
Arthur "drove out the Pagans" at Guinnion (Irish HB).
"Thanet" and ships in HRB's Badon aftermath chapter.
* Vortimer:
"the Saxons being defeated, fled to their ships" (HB).
"for though they may inhabit other parts of Britain, yet if you follow my commands, they will never remain in this island. (HB)".
"Vortimer fought 4 times against the Saxons, and put them to flight" (HB).
"drove them to Thanet" (HB).
"began to drive out the barbarians" (HRB).
"the enemies fled shamefully to their ships" (HRB/DGB).
"And when they were no longer able to bear the assaults of the Britons, they sent ... to ... Vortimer, to desire leave to depart, and return back safe to Germany. And ... they in the meantime went on board their long galleys, and, ..., returned back to Germany." (HRB.)

Both leader of kings/knights of Britons:
* Arthur:
Arthur is dux bellorum "leader of battles" of the kings of the Britons in 12 battles (HB).
Arthur heads the 12/24/150 knights of the Round Table.
* Vortimer:
"they fought against the kings and princes of Britain" (HB).
The Britons "unanimously set up Vortimer for their king" (HRB).

Both similar siege:
* Arthur:
Badon was a siege (DEB) and "a most severe contest" (HB). Guinnion was a fort(let).
Siege Perilous seat at Round Table.
* Vortimer:
"besieged" Saxons at Thanet (HB, HRB/DGB).

Both had one or a fleet of ships/boats:
* Arthur:
Arthur's ship/boat Pry(d)wen.
Arthur crossed to Gaul/France from Hamo's Port, and back to Rutupi (DGB/HRB).
The Porter (PG)?
Arthur taken to Avalon on a boat/ship/barge.
* Vortimer:
"with his fleet".

Both called soldiers:
* Arthur:
miles "soldier".
* Vortimer:
"brave soldier" (HRB/DGB).

Both victorius in all their battles:
* Arthur:
Was victorius in all his battles (except the 1st) (HB).
The "Britons were the victors" at Badon (AC/WA).
"Great victory of Arthur against the Saxons on St David's birthday/day 540/640" (Shakespeare and the Welsh).
* Vortimer:
"Vortimer fought 4 times against the Saxons, and put them to flight" (HB).
"the Saxons being defeated, fled to their ships" (HB).
"was victorius in all" (HRB/DGB).
"after this great success" (HRB).

Both valiant/valourous/brave:
* Arthur:
Arthur was "the most valiant" (24 Kings document).
* Vortimer:
"did valourously encounter the enemy" (HB).
"admirable bravery" (HRB).

Both similar battle site name/place:
* Arthur:
Bassas ("shallow"?)
* Vortimer:
Vortimer's battle at Ep(i)sford.
Vortimer fought Ebissa (HRB).
Vortimer's brother Pascent(ius) (HB, HRB).

Both fought the first battles on rivers with similar name or meaning or description:
* Arthur:
Arthur fought on 3 or 4 rivers (Glein, Dubglas, Bassas, Tribruit?)
* Vortimer:
Vortimer fought on 2 rivers (Darent, Epsford/"Aylesford"). The description "super flumen" is similar. Simiar D- river names. Similar black/dark & white names and meainings. Bassas and Epsford have similar names when considering the various names Wipped, Wippedsfleot, Eosa, Ebissa, Eopa, Ebbsfleet, Ipwinesfleet, Bassas, and when considering Ethelwerd's statement about the Thesean sea and Aegeans sea. Glein is similar to "Aylesford" considering the spellings of "Aylesford" in the ASC & Ethelwerd.

Both associated with a similar holy-like person:
* Arthur:
Associated with the magician/antichrist Merlin, bishop/saint Dubricius, bishop Bawdewyn.
* Vortimer:
Associated with bishop/saint Germanus/Garmon.

Both had 1 sister mentioned:
* Arthur:
Had a sister Anna.
* Vortimer:
"his father and sister" (HB).
Vortigern's daughter in some sources (Life of Germanus? Will of Malmesbury.)

Both supposedly fought Cerdic/Cedric:
* Arthur:
Arthur fought Cheldric (HRB).
* Vortimer:
Vortimer fought Cherdich (HRB/DGB).

Both fought similar alternating victory and defeat series of battles:
* Arthur:
Arthur fought 12/9/7 battles (HB, PG).
When Arthur fought Lucius "sometimes the Britons prevailing, sometimes the Romans" (HRB/DGB).
Arthur was the leader at Badon in the HB, and the DEB says Badon was almost the last of the battles during which "sometimes our countrymen, sometimes the enemy won" (DEB 26).
"No one should be surprised at the changes in human fortunes that sometimes it is necessary to win and sometimes to flee" (HRB?)
* Vortimer:
"sometimes extended their boundaries by victory, and sometimes were conquered and driven back" (HB).

Both prominent persons:
* Arthur:
He is prominent/famous person.
* Vortimer:
He is a prominent/famous person.
* Both:
The argument that Vortimer is less prominent than Arthur is invalid because Arthur might/may be Vortimer, and Vortimer is prominent/famous in what few mentionings there are, and Arthur was more minor in the earliest mentionings like the HB, and Arthur has been subsequently alot more developed than Vortimer, and both are in not fully reliable historical sources.

Both may be connected with Ambrosius:
* Arthur & Vortimer indirect match via Ambrosius/Aurelius:
Arthur lead at Badon (HB, AC) matches Ambrosius lead at Badon (DEB).
The -imer in Vortimer's might match Amr/Emrys/Ambrosius? The Vor- might even match Aur- of Aurelius?

Both gave similar exhortation/comfort to their followers:
* Arthur:
"Arthur's exhortation to his soldiers" (HRB).
* Vortimer:
"endeavoured to comfort them in their sorrow and lamentation".

Both restore and build churchs/monasteries:
* Arthur:
"Arthur restores York to its ancient beauty, especially as to its churches." (HRB.)
Arthur "erected many religious houses and monasteries, and gave them endowments and salaries" (24 Kings document).
* Vortimer:
"Vortimer, ... began to restore his subjects to their possessions which had been taken from them, ..., and ... to rebuild their churches." (HRB.)

Both similar meetings events:
* Arthur:
"solemn assembly" at city of legions (HRB).
(Round Table? Grail Quest?)
* Vortimer:
"synod" of Gwarthennian (HB).

Both had more Saxons arriving or arriving again during/after their series of battles:
*Arthur:
"The more the Saxons were vanquished, the more they sought for new supplies of Saxons from Germany" (HB).
"begged for leave to go out; in consideration whereof they offered to leave all their gold and silver behind them, and return back to Germany with nothing but their empty ships. They promised also that they would pay him tribute from Germany" (HRB), and shortly after they return to the "Totness"/"Severn" area.
* Vortimer:
"The Saxons now despatched deputies to Germany to solicit large reinforcements, and an additional number of ships." (HB.)

Both similarly distributed rewards:
* Arthur:
"Arthur amply rewards his servants".
* Vortimer:
"Vortimer, ..., began to restore his subjects to their possessions which had been taken from them, and to show them all marks of his affection and esteem, and ... to rebuild their churches. But his goodness .... Hereupon he ... distributed among them all the treasure his predecessors had heaped up...." (HRB.)

Both similar place name:
* Arthur:
Camelot, maybe from melyn "yellow".
Malory "moved Arthur to London".
Arthur's court in London in the HRB.
* Vortimer:
Belyn's Gate, London (Layamon).
Campo Lapidem (HB).

Both similar battle site name/location:
*Arthur:
Arthur's 6th/9th battle at the city of the legion may match the 5th Saxon Shore fort Rutupi/Richborough (Legio II Augusta) in my match of the 9 battle sites with the 9 Saxon Shore forts.
* Vortimer:
Vortimer's battle at Campo Lapidem is supposed by some to have been at Richborough.
Vortimer requested to be buried at the port where the Saxons first landed, and a 'Vortigern Studies' article reckons Vortimer's cenotaph was at Richborough.


2. Matches between Uther and Vortigern.

Non-historical figure can match historical figure:
* Uther:
Uther does not occur in any reliable early fully historical source, those he does occur in are late and not fully reliable historical (some HB versions, HRB/DGB). Ergo "Uther" is not a fully historical person.
* Vortigern:
Vortigern occurs in historical sources (DEB, ASC) and other sources (HB, HRB/DGB), and so he can be accept as being historical.
* Both:
Since Uther is not a fully historical figure there is no problem with identifying him with the more historical Vortigern.

Both have similar names and similar sons' names:
* Uther:
His name is Ute/Uter/Uther/Uthyr/Vthyr /Iubher/Gwythyr Pen(draggon)/Pandragun (and his wife's name is Igerne/Igraine).
He is father of Arthur.
* Vortigern:
His name is Vortigern/Vortiger/Vortigen/Wurtgern/Wyrtgeorne /Vurthern/Urtigernus /Guorthegirn/Guorthigirn/Guarthi(gern) /Gwrtheyrn / Gurthrigern.
He is father of Vortimer/Gw(e)rthefyr.
* Both:
Both names Uther (&/or Igerne) & Arthur, and Vortiger(n) & Vortimer/Gw(e)rthefyr of both sources are very similar and linguistically able to match when considering all spellings/pronounciations versions of the 4 names. The only major dispute is with the Gw- of Vortimer, and this being dropped or interchanging or corresonded is not as a major issue as some people make out, compare Gwarthur & Arthur, Arthur/"Wart", Garthwys/Arthwys, Loyngarth/Llwynarth.

Both their names have similar meanings:
* Uther:
His name Uther means "terrible warrior" or "horrible son" or "wonderful head" or "half-dead king".
His other name Pendragon means "chief dragon, warchief, foremost leader, chief leader in war" or "wonderful head", a chief invested with supreme power.
* Vortigern:
His name means "hero king, great king, overlord", and he is called "proud/superb tyrant" or "ignorant king" or "wicked king".
Vortigern lead in the first battle(s) in the ASC.

Both were similar kings and/or overlords:
* Uther:
Was king / high king (HRB).
He was Pendragon "head dragon", a chief invested with supreme "Uther was the legendary chief king of Britain who overcame all the petty kings. Pendragon, meaning chief leader in batte or chief dragon, ... was given to or assumed by military leaders who excercised kingly powers".
power.
* Vortigern:
Was king / high king (HRB).
He was "great king, overlord".
He was proud tryant / superb tyrant (DEB, HB, HRB, ASC).
"he seems to have won for himself a position of authority not unlike that which had been held by the governors of Roman Britain ... authority which evidently ran over most of the Lowland zone of Britain, if it in fact reached as far as Kent...."
"The dissolution of traditional government provided throughout the empire an an opportunity for native tribal chieftains to seize the power into their own hands: so Vortigern came to dominate the country on both sides of the Thames and not simply Kent alone."
"We can only guess that he was a soldier who, by his success in warfare against the Saxons, won for himself much the same kind of position as had formerly been held by Vortigern."
"Whether or not Vortigern's authority extended to this part of Britain.... .... The fact, ... that Vortigern was able to take what he, ... regarded as measures for the security of Kent, ... out to mean that the whole of southern and eastern Britain from Kent as far away as his homeland in the Wroxeter area was at that time, ... under his controlling hand."

Both were British:
* Uther:
Was British.
* Vortgern:
Was British/Welsh.

Both are contemporaries:
* Uther & Vortigern:
Both are contemporaries in the HRB/DGB.

Both fought near-contemporaries:
* Uther:
Uther fought Octa & Eosa in the HRB.
* Vortigern:
Vortigern fought Hengist & Horsa in 455 (ASC).

Both associated with a similar set/series of forts:
* Uther:
Pascent invaded & destroyed all the ... forts from "Albania" to "York" (HRB)?
* Vortigern:
"Hengist forces Vortigern to yield up the strongest fortifications in Britain" (HRB).

Both associated with Ambrosius or Merlin:
* Uther:
Uther buried close by Ambrosius within Giant's Dance (HRB).
Ambrosius & Uther went to France/Gaul (HRB)
* Vortigern:
Vortigern & Dimetia/Britons vs Ambrosius & Dumnonii/Romans (HB).
Dinas Emrys.

Uther:
Merlin advised/helped Uther with how to get Igraine, and how to get the Giant's Dance.
Vortigern:
"Merlin the prophet of Vortigern" (HRB/DGB).

Both are maybe connected with dragons:
* Uther:
Pendragon "head dragon".
Uther ordered 2 dragons made to be carried with him in his wars, one of which he uses as his standard.
* Vortigern:
Red vs white dragon.
(Tigern "king".)
The symbol of Vortigern's contemporary Hengist and/or of the Jutes or Kentishmen was a white dragon or white horse.

Both ambiguous figures/natures:
* Uther:
"He is a fairly ambiguous individual throughout the literature, but is described as a strong king and a defender of his people."
Pendragon "dragon head" may mean nature of a dragon?
* Vortigern:
He is castigated by sources for various bad points.

Both sons of fathers with similar names and details:
* Uther:
He is son of Constantine/Custennin.
* Vortigern:
He is son in law of Hengist/Hengest.
Hengist said to Vortigern "I will be a father to you" (HB).
* Both:
Hengist & Horsa and Constantine & Constans (or Conan?) have similar names and similar relationships (except the former are brothers and the latter father & son), and they both were invited to come from Armorica/Letavia/Brittany or Germany to Britain to fight Scots/Irish & Picts.

Both associated with Ambrius:
* Uther:
He was buried at Giant's Dance / Stonehenge near Ambrius (HRB).
* Vortigern:
He meet the Saxons at Ambrius/Ambresbury (HRB).

Both had a similar son and daughter.
* Uther:
Uther's comet symbolises a son and a daughter (HRB).
Uther's daughter Anna/Morgause.
* Vortigern:
Vortigern has three or four sons but only one is prominent, and he has a daughter.

Both associated with persons with similar name:
* Uther:
Gorlois/Gerlois duke of Cornwall.
* Vortigern:
Gorangan/Guoyrancgonus king of Kent his contemporary acquaintance.
Horsa his contemporary acquaintance.
Gloui his ancestor or Gloucester his civitas.
Town of Genoreu (HRB), Mt Cloarius (HRB).
St Germanus contemporary of Vortigern (HB, HRB)?

Both similar stories about their lust for women/wives:
* Uther:
Uther "becomes obsessively enamoured of" Igraine and "falls in love" with her (HRB). Igraine "recoiled" from Uther's advances, and "Uther had her husband killed in order to forcibly marry her", but she later marries him (HRB).
* Vortigern:
Vortigern was "seduced by Rowena" the "daughter of Hengist", and she was "peaceably" married off to him as part of an agreement/alliance.  ("Seduced" doesn't always mean the way people think, eg sometimes "raped" and "seduced" are related. Compare the sons of god and daughters of men in Genesis 6, and/or the Romans and Sabine women, and some other stories in other sources.)
Vortigern's "love for a pagan woman" Rowena "who he so much loved" (HB 45).
Vortigern is an "imprudent king" or "ignorant king" or "wicked king" or "unlucky king" who is "denigrated for his misjudgement" and "evils" and was "wholly given up to the lusts of the flesh, the slave of every vice: a character of insatiable avarice, ungovernable pride, and polluted by his lusts" and was "wasting the resources of the kingdom in riotous living, he was awake only to the blandishments of abandoned women" (GRA).
In other sources Vortigern lusted and committed incest with "his own daughter".
Vortigern had "other wives" (HB 47) so he sounds abit lusty.
Vortigern also married Sevira "daughter of Maximus" (Pillar of Eliseg).
(Note that since all 3 of Rowena and Sevira and Vortigern's daughter are specially described as "daughter of" and are similar loves of Vortigern, it may mean a connection or confounding of the 3 different love stories.)

Both them and their wives and their wives fathers were friends and enemies at times:
* Uther:
Gorlois was one of Uther's retainers/vassals and they were "celebrating their victories" before Uther "killed" Gorlois.
Igraine "recoiled" from Uther, and Uther "killed" her husband Gorlois in order to forcibly marry her, but she afterwards marries him (HRB).
* Vortigern:
Vortigern & Hengist were friends and/or enemies at various stages.
"Rowena seduced Vortigern."
Vortigern married Rowena "peaceably".
I am sure that Rowena a younger gooder Saxon would not have been too keen to marry an older bader Briton, so that matches your Igraine "recoiled", besides which Igraine afterwards married Uther.
"Hengist, being informed of their design by messengers sent from his daughter".
(And if she had to marry him it implies whoever she would rather have married was "killed"?)

Uther:
Castle of Dimilioc (HRB).
Vortigern:
Catel Drunluc (HB).

Uther:
Gorlois is "one of Uther's retainers/vassals" (HRB).
Vortigern:
Hengist was hired by Vortigern (DEB, ASC, HB, HRB).
Gorangan/Guoyrancgonus was a sub-king of Vortigern in Kent (HB).

Both at a similar banquet:
Uther:
"At a banquet celebrating their victories" (Uther & Gorlois episode).
Vortigern:
"Hengist, under pretence of ratifying the treaty, prepared an entertainment, to which he invited the king.... .... The king with his company, appeared at the feast; and mixing with the Saxons" (HB).
"And if these terms pleased Vortigern, he desired him to appoint a time and place for their meeting, and adjusting matters according to his pleasure. ... at last ordered his subjects and the Saxons to meet ... at the monastery of Ambrius, for the settling of the matters above-mentioned. The appointment being agreed to on both sides, ... and while the conference should be held with the Britons, who would have no suspicion of them, .... Accordingly they all met at the time and place appointed, and began to treat of peace...." (HRB.)
Presumably this might have been a feast after wedding Rowena.

Both at a place with a similar name and nature/details:
Uther:
impregnable castle Tintagel. (Tintagel in Cornwall was not associated with Arthur until the 1000s.)
Vortigern:
Thanet given to Saxons as safe re invasion/takeover.
Both:
Tintagel and Thanet (or Dover) have similar names and analogous geographical features.

Their and/or their wives religions were not necessarily different:
* Uther:
Uther married "christian" Igraine".
Uther is linked with dragon(s) which might also imply a similar anti-christian/Satantic/pagan religion?
Uther lusted after Igraine, and they had an affair and they commited adultery.
Uther's name has been related to Bran. Igraine's name resembles Grainne or Igreen?
* Vortigern:
Vortigern was a Pelagian "christian" (who acted as bishop on an occasion in HRB?)
Vortigern was a follower of Merlin/Ambrosius.
Vortigern's "love for a pagan woman" Rowena daughter of Hengist. Hengist may be made into a "christian" as Constantine in the HRB (Hengist & Horsa and Constantine & Constans are similar names. Hengist invited from Germany to fight Scots matches Constantine invited from Brittany to fight Scots.)
Vortigern is linked with dragon(s) which might also imply a similar antichristian/pagan religion?
Vortigern offended bishop St Germanus (HB).
Vortigern was "seduced by Rowena".
Vortigern was a "wicked king" who is denigrated for his "evils" and was "wholly given up to the lusts of the flesh, the slave of every vice: a character of insatiable avarice, ungovernable pride, and polluted by his lusts" (GRA).

Their and/or their wives races or regions were not necessarily different:
* Uther:
Uther married Igraine who was "Cornish". Localities names in Arthurian sources are not always so literarily correct as many assume/assert, eg "Albani" might not be Scotland but may be the Downs/Dover/Albion, or Britain/Albion, or Snowdon "white hill", or Guinnion/Alborum, or Verulam/St Albans. Sources like Geoffrey translated forgotten/unknown places to whatever places they theorised/supposed them to match (eg he made Linnuis "Lincoln" and Badon "Bath" and Urbelegionis "Caerleon" and Eidyn "Edinburgh" and Caledon wood "Caledonia"). So "Cornwall" might not be Cornwall promonitory in the southwest corner it might be analogous/similar Kent in southeast corner. Gorlois duke of Cornwall may match Gorangan/Guoyrancgonus king of Kent in HB? Mark and Tristan were Cornish and yet also associated with Brittany or France. Link of Dumnonii and Domnonee. Link of Cornwall and Kernev (Brittany). Or -wall might relate to other Gwal/Wal/Wall names.
Uther's &/or Igerna's names resemble Vortigern's (and the latter was British).
Uther was at Tintagel (HRB). But Tintagel in Cornwall was not associated with Arthur until the 1000s. Tintagel might be Thanet.
Uther had to appear like Gorlois which might mean Uther and Igraine were a different race or religion.
Uther was in Brittany for some time (HRB).
Uther is connected with Anjou in Eschenbach's work.
Uther's symbol was a dragon, which could be either Welsh red dragon or Jutish/Kentish white dragon.
* Vortigern:
Vortigern was British (Demetian or Gewissean), and he married his own daughter who is thus also British.
The location of Vortigern's castle/city is uncertain, being placed in various different provinces/counties.
Vortigern married Sevira daughter of Maximus who was a Roman.
Vortigern married Rowena daughter of Hengist who was a Saxon from Europe. Hengist invited from Germany to fight Scots matches Constantine invited from Brittany to fight Scots.  (Hengist & Horsa and Constantine & Constans are similar names.)
Vortigern's symbol was a dragon, which could be either Welsh red dragon or Jutish/Kentish white dragon.
Vortigern's name resembles Uther's &/or Igerna's.
Gorangan/Guoyrancgonus sub-king of Kent in HB may match Gorlois duke of "Cornwall" in the HRB/DGB?

----

Answer to criticism that "Arthur can't be Vortimer or Ambrosius because the HB mentions them as two separate persons".
This is a pitiful artificial objection put forward by opponents who merely wish to hinder the issue with every possible clever argument they can. Where is all their evidences reasons for why Vortimer doesn't/can't match Arthur? Meanwhile we have provided heaps of strong details matches evidences reasons for the two possibly being the same.
Nennius said he "heaped" alot together.
Reduplication of characters is not unknown in traditions and myths/legends.
Roman "christian" sources are notorious for falsely lying and mixing saints and holy days and popes etc.
Look how Geoffrey even further expanded on the HB, so Nennius could have expanded on the DEB.
Nennius supposedly made the DEB's Ambrosius into two different persons.
There is no Arthur in the DEB, so Arthur as leader at Badon must be one of the persons mentioned in the DEB.
What real historical facts objections are there to Vortimer being Arthur? I mean like Vortimer and Arthur are both in non-historical sources, so no one can be so adamantly assertive that they can't be the same. (Vortimer only first appears in the HB and HRB. Arthur is pretty much first from the HB.)

Yes the HB has Vortimer during Hengist, and has Arthur's battles between Octa (after Hengist's death) and Ida. So I maybe might be wrong about Arthur possibly being Vortimer. But I can not be sure I am wrong because there are pretty intriguiung matches evidences for Arthur being Vortimer, and there are rooms for doubting the HB's narrative chronology order for either/both persons.

1. Vortimer doesn't occur in any fully historical sources, he only first appears in the HB and HRB/DGB (which used the HB as its source). Arthur also pretty much first majorly occurs in the HB. The HB is not a reliable fully historical source.

2. Nennius said he "heaped" alot together.

3. The battle list alternatively comes before or after the Life of Patrick, which may mean uncertain time placement.

4. Vortimer (ca 455-473) fights Hengist (HB, ASC, Evans/Arcus/Wiki), Horsa (HB, HRB, ASC, Evans/Arcus), Esc (ASC, Evans/Arcus), "Octa & Ebissa" (HRB), Cherdich (HRB), in Kent (ASC).
Arthur (between 421 and 584 in early traditional sources) fights Octa in Kent (HB, Collingwood, Jackson, Evans), Osla/Ossa (Rhonabwy), Ossa cousin of Otca/Octa son of Hengist (Dingestow HRB), Cerdic/Cheldric & Colgrin & Baldulph (HRB), Ida (HB)?
Esc/Octa isn't mentioned in the ASC after the death of Hengist ca 488.
The chronology/dates in sources like the ASC is disputed.

5. Vortimer's 4 battles might only match the first half of Arthur's 12 battles. The ASC battles of 455-473 may only match the first 3 or 4 of Arthur's battles. Vortimer and Arthur both have sleeping and messianic returns. So maybe the name "Vortimer/Arthur" was like the spirit of Arthur for the battles after the first four/half. Or maybe Vortimer/Arthur was used as a name/title similar to the use of Caesar.

6. The "North" of Hengist & Octa might only be Linnuis.
All the action in the ASC is in Kent, Sussex, Wessex.
Hengist maybe features in Arthurian tradition: Hergest; Gwyn Dragon.
"Hengist forces Vortigern to yield up the strongest fortifications in Britain" sounds like the Saxon Shore forts. (Compare Vortimer's bones buried in the Chief Ports of this Island. Pascent invaded & destroyed all the ... forts from "Albania" to "York".)
Arthur "came against" the Saxons and drove them out of the (is)land (Guinnion & Clarence). Vortimer did similar in the HB & HRB. Both suit the south-east not the west or north.

Dux Arthur leader at Badon may match duce Ambrosius leader at Badon. Vortimer and Ambrosius are both poisoned (DGB).
Whether Arthur is Vortimer or not I still see far more evidences for the south-east than the west or north. The only 3 matches for the 12 battles are all in the south-east (SS forts, Vortimer's battles, ASC battles), and some my most major Arthur candidates are too (Vortimer, Aethelbert, Vortigern).