Oisc of Kent

Who was Oisc of Kent?

Oisc was an early king of Kent who ruled for twenty-four years, from 488 to 516 Book I.8.

Little is known about him, and the information that does survive regarding his life is often vague and suspect. He seems to have been the son or the grandson of Hengest, who led the initial Anglo-Saxon conquest and settlement of Kent. According to Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Oisc's given name was Orric. Bede indicates that he was the son of Hengest, and came to Britain with him, with the permission of the British king Vortigern. He was the father of Octa, who succeeded him. His descendants called themselves "Oiscingas" after him.