Page "Saxons" Paragraph 15

The first undisputed mention of the Saxon name in its modern form is from 356, when Julian, later the Roman Emperor, mentioned them in a speech as allies of Magnentius, a rival emperor in Gaul.

All mentions of the Saxons during the 4th and early 5th centuries referred to pirates and warlords in Gaul and Britain, rather than to a specific tribe or inhabitants of a specific area.

In order to defend against Saxon raiders, the Romans created a military district called the Litus Saxonicum (" Saxon Coast ") on both sides of the English Channel.

In 441 – 442, Saxons are mentioned for the first time as inhabitants of Britain, when an unknown Gaulish historian wrote: " Britain falls under the rule of the Saxons ".