Arthur Pendragon

Perhaps one of the best known names in Western culture, King Arthur was the model for chivalry and courtly love.  The illegitimate son of Uther Pendragon and Lady Igraine, wife of Lord Gorlois, Arthur was raised by Sir Ector by the will of Merlin.  Unaware of his heritage, Arthur acted as squire for Sir Kay, his foster brother.  When he was fifteen, he attended a tourney with Kay and Ector, but forgot Kay’s sword at their home.  When he arrived there, however, he was locked out.  Fearful that any delay would forfeit Kay’s right to compete, Arthur rushed quickly to retrieve a lone sword sticking out of a large stone that he had seen on the way.  With no knowledge of its significance and having seen no one nearby, Arthur moved toward the stone and drew out the blade.  He ran back to Kay and handed him the weapon.  Kay immediately recognized the sword Excalibur.  When other knights recognized the weapon, Kay reluctantly admitted that Arthur had drawn it, thus marking Arthur as “The True King” of England and successor to Uther’s throne.

After years of proving his lineage and capability, Arthur eventually assumed command of England.  His loyal retainers were known as the Knights of the Round Table.  Arthur’s prowess in battle is unquestioned, as is that of his knights.  In addition to many tales of valor and heroics, Arthur is drawn into the search for the Holy Grail, the cup which Jesus Christ was said to have drunk from at the Last Supper.  Many of his knights pursued this goal, but only Galahad, Percival, and Bors obtain it.
Arthur has been ruling as a fair and just king this entire time, but he betrayed by Lancelot and his wife Guinevere.  Amidst these events, Arthur is also deceived by his half-sister Morgan le Fay, who uses him to conceive Mordred.  Mordred later steals Excalibur’s sheath and challenges Arthur to mortal combat, leaving Arthur dead.  Both the sword and sheath are posthumously returned to the Lady of the Lake.

Arthur is known for being an honest and forthright king, always doling out rewards fairly and justly to his subjects.  Dishonor and cheap tricks are never associated with the legend and tales surrounding him.  He is viewed as a paragon of knightly honor and prestige.

His weapon, Excalibur, was said to shimmer when swung and that any who were non-mortally struck by the blade would die within a few days.  Excalibur’s sheath had the magical ability to sustain the wielder’s life, no matter how many blows struck him.  The sheath purportedly was three times the average size, for Excalibur’s shimmer may have come from it soaking in mercury while sheathed.  The symptoms of mercury poisoning correspond to the festering of wounds from Excalibur.

Suggested Reading:  The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights