ARTHUR

 

Arthur (King)

Updated: Aug 29, 2020

Most historians now agree that Arthur--or the man we call Arthur--did exist, if not as king then at least as a military leader. He was a magnetic man and military mastermind whose warband grew with his fame. Arthur is probably the general who led the Britons to victory at the famous Battle of Mount Badon. With this decisive victory, the invading Saxons were kept at bay, bringing relative peace to the land.Thus, the title off king was likely bestowed upon the heroic Arthur by the storytellers of the grateful isle. They would also add to his fame and grandeur with a wealth of fantastic tales.

 

Our romanticized Arthur of legend was born to Uther and Igraine at Tintagel in Cornwall. The newborn was given to Merlin as part of a pact between the magician and the king. Merlin then placed the young Arthur in the foster care of Sir Ector. Here with his foster brother Kay, Arthur received an education and learned the arts of war. Despite thinking himself someone's unwanted bastard, these were happy, carefree days for Arthur.

 

When the time came for Arthur to succeed his father, merlin arranged for the nobles to meet for a tournament. Though there had been rumours that Uther had fathered a son, no one was certain of his existence. The tournament's victors won the right to attempt to pull a sword from a stone. This was a rite by which the people believed the Gods made known the rightful king of the land. It was in this setting, with all eyes upon him, that the 15-year-old Arthur pulled the sword from the stone. Merlin then told Arthur, and the dazed onlookers, that he was the child of the high King Uther Pendragon and his queen Igraine.

 

In the earlly days of his reign, Arthur remained under the watchful eye of Merlin, successfully overcoming the initial opposition of some disgruntled lesser kings and setting out to unite his fellow countrymen against the Saxon threat. Despite his youth, Arthur was an exemplary warrior and as time wore on he proved to be a great leader, dispelling any doubts regarding his prowess and authority. Arthur was a fair and courageous man, but capable of making harsh decisions when necessary. His warlike nature was balanced with kindness and humour. His talent for verse (particularly satirical verse) made him a favourite among the bards.

 

The early battles of Arthur and h is warband were severe but successful, culminating with the victory of Mount Badon. The now confident (and perhaps somewhat jealous) Arthur announced that he dig up the head of Bran which lay buried on Tower Hill in London. The people believed Bran's head to be a talisman protecting teh islae from outsiders, while to Arthur it was a long-dead competitor, more superstition, and a thorn in his side. He asserted that it was his campaign, not a charm, that protected the land. Arthur exhumed the head, thereby declaring his own supremacy. This act did not sit well with everyone and some would blame later troubles on this misdeed.

 

The king then turned his attention to rebuilding and reorganizing the country. At this time he married Guenevere, who some maintain was his second wife. Welsh tradition names three sons for Arthur: Llacheu, Gwydre, and Amr. It is not known whether Llacheu was legitimate, but Gwydre and Amr were not, and all died before their father. According to legend, Guenevere brought Arthur the Round Table, which ahd belonged to Uther, a part of her dowry. The Round Table held both a mystical and practical appeal, unifying all while honouring no man above the rest. with this, The Fellowship of the Round Table was born. And so began the many (too many to recount here) adventures of King Arthur and the Knights of the Table Round.

 

 

 

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