Arthur

Also known as: King Arthur · Family: Britons · Role: son of Uther and Igerna · First appears: Book VIII 19

The same night that Uther Pendragon deceived Igerna in Gorlois’s likeness, Arthur was conceived at Tintagel; afterward, Uther Pendragon and Igerna lived together and had Arthur and Anne. In Book IX, Dubricius crowned him king of Britain at Silchester. Arthur defeated Colgrin, accepted the Saxons’ surrender before they broke their agreement, and ordered the execution of their hostages. He then killed hundreds with Caliburn, defeated Colgrin and Baldulph, drove Cheldric into flight, besieged the Scots and Picts, and defeated Guillamurius when he came to their aid. At Hoel’s arrival with fifteen thousand men, Arthur was supported in relieving Kaerlindcoit, and after further victories he granted the Scots and Picts pardon at the request of their clergy.

After restoring the country, Arthur appointed Pyramus metropolitan of York, restored Augusel, Urian, and Lot to their governments and offices, and married Guanhumara. He captured Guillamurius, conquered Ireland and Iceland, and received the submission of Doldavius and Gunfasius. His forces killed Riculf, reduced Norway and Dacia, and established Lot upon the throne of Norway; Arthur then killed Flollo in single combat, received Paris’s surrender, and gave Neustria to Bedver and Andegavia to Caius. At the City of Legions he was crowned in a grand church ceremony. When Lucius Tiberius demanded tribute and summoned him to Rome, Arthur rejected the demand and declared that the Romans should instead pay tribute, while Hoel, Augusel, and the other rulers prepared to join his campaign.

Before marching, Arthur entrusted Britain’s government to Modred and Guanhumara. During the campaign he killed a giant at Michael’s Mount and was said to have earlier killed Ritho at Aravius; he rewarded Boso, Guerinus Carnotensis, and Walgan after their victory, arranged the prisoners’ custody through Cador, Bedver, Borellus, and Richerius, and divided his army among commanders including Morvid, Augusel, Cador, Aschillius, Lot, Hoel, and others. Arthur killed Sertorius and Polytetes with Caliburn, and the Britons eventually defeated the Romans. In the five hundred and forty-second year of the incarnation, Arthur was mortally wounded and carried to Avalon; he then gave the crown of Britain to his kinsman Constantine, son of Cador.