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.

[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.

According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, the eighth fort 'Anderida' was stormed by Saxons in 491, and the British garrison and inhabitants exterminated.