The second son of the Emperor Constantine, Geoffrey of Monmouth tells us how he was still a young child when his teenage brother, Constans' short-lived reign came to an abrupt end. With his father executed and his brother murdered, little Ambrosius, along with his brother, Uther, ( Arthurs Father) was bundled up and taken across the Channel to the safety of the court of his cousin, Budic I of Brittany. Here he grew up, while the evil Vortigern reigned in Britain, but always Ambrosius planned to return and claim his rightful inheritance.
His chance arrived some years later. Ambrosius returned to Britain. This may have resulted in Victory for Ambrosius who was, at some point in history, "given all the kingdoms of the western side of Britain" by Vortigern. Ambrosius was, however, unsatisfied with such a compromise and the struggle between the two continued for most of his life. Vortigern's pro-Saxon policies eventually led to his downfall though and, (probably) in the late 450s, the British people finally rallied behind Ambrosius. Vortigern was hounded into taking refuge in his mountain strongholds. While under siege at Caer-Guorthigirn (Little Doward, Herefordshire), the fortress was miraculously struck by lightning. Vortigern and his entire garrison were burnt to death.
After Vortigern's death, Ambrosius was conciliatory towards his sons and let them keep their lands in Buellt, Gwerthrynion, Gwent and Powys. Despite this magnanimity, King Pasgen of Buellt & Gwerthrynion later rebelled against Ambrosius and twice attempted to overrun Britain with help from the Saxons and the Irish. The main Anglo-Saxon forces had retired North of the Humber and Ambrosius met Hengist in Battle at Maesbeli and then Conisburgh. . All were defeated, but Ambroius let them settle their people in Bryneich (Bernicia).
Ambrosius is credited, by Geoffrey, with the building of a monumental stone circle, the "Giant's Ring" (possibly Stonehenge or Avebury) on Mount Ambrius as a memorial to those massacred by the Saxons at the "Night of the Long Knifes" during King Vortigern's reign. He was buried there himself after being poisoned by a Saxon at Winchester (Caer-Guinntguic).
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