Count of the Saxon Shore

The post was possibly created during the reign of Constantine I, and was probably in existence by AD 367 when Nectaridus is elliptically referred to as such a leader by Ammianus Marcellinus.

The Count's remit covered the southern and eastern coasts of Roman Britain during a period of increasing maritime raids from barbarian tribes outside the empire.

In 367, a series of invasions from Picts, Franks, Saxons, Scots and Attacotti appears to have defeated the army of Britain and resulted in the death of Nectaridus.

[2] Eutropius had already spoken of the channel being cleared by Carausius, since the Armorican and Belgian coasts had been 'infested' with Francs and Saxons.

[3] The 5th-century Notitia Dignitatum lists the names of the Saxon Shore forts,[4] from Norfolk to Hampshire that were under the Count's command.