Uther Pendragon was Arthur's father and king of Britain. He had had a
disagreement with the Duke of Tintagel and had invited him and his wife to his castle to
form a truce.
While they were there Uther Pendragon fell in love with Igraine, the
duke's wife. But she did not return it. She told her husband and they left and prepared
their castle for war.
Uther responded and many on both sides died. Uther's love for Igraine
just became stronger and stronger until his warriors called Merlin, a powerful wizard, to
help.
Merlin said that he could get the king to Igraine but that in return he
wanted to be given the child that would result from their union.
Soon after Uther left for the duke's castle, disguised as the duke, the
duke himself attacked Uther's men and was killed.
The two armies were reconciled and when Uther proposed marriage Igraine
accepted.
The son that resulted was given to Merlin who gave it to Sir Ector to
be raised. The boy was named Arthur.
Several years later Uther became ill. Just before he died he named his
son Arthur as the next heir.
|