The name Arthur may be (and according to K. H. Jackson
certainly is) a form of Artorius, a Roman gens name, but, according to J. D.
Bruce, it is possibly of Celtic origin. King Arthur was the son of Uther and
defeated the barbarians in a dozen battles. Subsequently, he conquered a wide
empire and eventually went to war with the Romans. He returned home on learning
that his nephew Mordred had raised the standard of rebellion and taken
Guinevere, the queen. After landing, his final battle took place.
The saga built up over the centuries and Celtic
traditions of Arthur reached the Continent via Brittany. Malory's Le Morte
D'Arthur would become what many considered the standard 'history' of Arthur. In
this, we are told of Arthur's conception when Uther approached Igraine who was
made, by Merlin's sorcery, to resemble her husband. The child was given to Arthur
did so and Merlin had him crowned. This led to a rebellion be eleven rulers
which Arthur put down. He married Guinevere whose father gave him the Round
Table as a dowry; it became the place where his knights sat, to avoid quarrels
over precedence. A magnificent reign followed, Arthur's court becoming the focus
for many heroes. In the war against the Romans, Arthur defeated the Emperor
Lucius and became emperor himself. However, his most illustrious knight,
Lancelot, became enamoured of Guinevere. The Quest for the Holy Grial began and
Lancelot's intrigue with the Queen came to light. Ector to be raised in secret.
After Uther's death there was no king ruling all England. Merlin had placed a
sword in a stone, saying that whoever drew it out would be king.
This led to Arthur's last battle on Salisbury Plain,
where he slew Mordred, but was himself gravely wounded. Arthur was then carried
off in a barge, saying he was heading for the vale of Avalon. Some said he
never died, but would one day return. However, his grave was supposedly
discovered at Glastonbury in the reign of Henry II (1154-89).
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(www.kingarthurlocalhousr.com)
