King Arthur’s Legend By: Winston McGregor

History First born son of King Uther Pendragon. When King Uther died there was great a dispute over who would take the throne. Merlin used his magic to set a sword in a stone. Written on the sword, in gold letters were the words: "Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone is the rightwise born king of all England."

History (Continued) King Arthur was the only one that could pull the sword from the stone; became King after obtaining sword. Fought many battles against the Saxons and eventually established himself as the ruler of Britain.

History (cont.) Married Guinevere. Built his base in Camelot. Installed the Round Table in order to prevent fights over seating precedence. He and his Knights performed many good deeds (i.e. rescuing damsels in distress) .

Arthur’s Demise The country was at peace for a while until a civil war broke out within Camelot. In the final battle at Camlan both Arthur and Mordred, Arthur's treacherous nephew, were mortally wounded. Arthur was placed on a boat destined for the island of Avalon. Three mysterious maidens were said to have treated his wounds. One of which may have been a shaman named Argante- (also the Elven Queen of Avalon)

Arthur’s Demise (cont.) He eventually died on the isle of Avalon. Arthur’s body was never found Some say “his body rests under a hill with all his knights - ready to ride forth and save the country again” (http://www.caerleon.net/history/arthur/page2.htm). Sir Bedivere (the last of the Knights of the Round Table) was sent to return Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake at Dozmary Pool.

Was Arthur a Myth? There are many speculations as to Arthur’s true identity. King Arthur was identified as some of the following people: Owain Ddantwyn (Powysian King), Cuneglasus (one of the “Five Tyrants”) and even a descendent of the Roman King Lucius Artorius Castus.

Resources and Additional Links http://www.caerleon.net/history/arthur/ http://www.art-of-europe.com/legend_of_king_arthur.htm www.boudicca.de/jess/ jess-argante_large.htm http://darter.ocps.net/classroom/who/darter2/karthur.html http://www.bartleby.com/182/115.html http://www.britannia.com/history/arthur/rtable.html http://www.britannia.com/history/arthur/kaking.html http://www.angelfire.com/md/devere/urse.html