There are various accounts of Arthur’s birth; according to one, Uther fell in love with Gorlois’ wife Igerne, who was already mother of three daughters.  Thanks to Merlin’s magic arts, Uther was able to visit Igerne in the guise of her husband, and thus begot a son, who was entrusted to Merlin’s care as soon as born.  Another legend declares that, after Gorlois’ death, Uther Pendragon married Igerne, and that Arthur was their lawful child.  Feeling he was about to die, and fearing lest his infant son should be made away with by the lords he had compelled to obedience, Uther Pendragon bade Merlin hide Arthur until he was old enough to reign over Britain.  Merlin therefore secretly bore the babe, as soon as born, to Sir Ector, who brought Arthur up in the belief he was the younger brother of his only son, Sir Kay.

Arthur had just reached eighteen when the Archbishop of Canterbury besought Merlin to select an overlord who would reduce the other kings to obedience, and thus restore peace, law, and order in Britain.  Thereupon Merlin promised him a king would soon appear whose rights none would be able to dispute.  Shortly after, on coming out of the cathedral one feast-day, the archbishop saw a huge block of stone, in which was imbedded an anvil, through which was thrust a beautiful sword.  This weapon, moreover, bore an inscription, stating that he who pulled it out and thrust it back would be the rightful heir to the throne.

Meantime a tournament had been proclaimed, and Sir Kay, having broken his sword while fighting, bade his brother Arthur get him another immediately.  Unable to find any weapon in their tent, Arthur ran to the anvil, pulled out the sword, and gave it to Sir Kay.  Seeing it in his son’s hand, Sir Ector inquired how it had been obtained, and insisted upon Arthur’s thrusting it back and taking it out repeatedly, before he would recognize him as his king.  As none of the other lords could move the sword, and as Arthur repeatedly proved his claim to it on the great feast-days, he became overlord of all the petty kings.  At Sir Ector’s request he appointed Sir Kay as steward of his palace, and, thanks to the help of Merlin and of his brave knights, soon subdued the rebels, and became not only master of all England, but, if we are to believe the later romances, a sort of English Alexander, who, after crossing the Alps, became Emperor of the World!

During his reign Arthur fought twelve memorable battles, and, not content with this activity, often rode out like other knights-errant in quest of adventure, challenging any one who wanted to fight, rescuing captives, and aiding damsels in distress.  In these encounters Arthur wore the peerless armor made by Merlin, and sometimes carried a shield so brilliant that it blinded all who gazed upon it.  It was, therefore, generally covered with a close-fitting case, which, like Arthur’s helmet, bore as emblem a two-headed dragon.  Having lost his divine sword in one encounter, Arthur was