During the end of the fifth century AD, King Uther was the ruling King of England, it was a peaceful time after many years of warfare against the Saxons. At a celebratory dinner, the Duke of Tintagel, Gorlois, brought his wife, Igraine, to meet King Uther. At the time King Uther was wallowing in misery and was not wed, Merlin advised the King to take a wife to soothe his mind as troubled times were ahead.

 

King Uther instantly fell in love with Igraine and made no effort to hide his admiration of the Duke’s wife. Duke Gorlois was furious with King Uther for his behaviour but the King could not forget Igraine, he waged war against Duke Gorlois. The King rode straight to Igraine in her castle while his troops

intercepted the Duke on his way to his keep. Word was sent to the

King that the Duke had died, through Merlin’s deception and magic

King Uther took the appearance of Gorlois, that night the King

slept with Igraine and Arthur was conceived. Igraine later found out

that her husband had died and agreed to marry King Uther.

 

Merlin had prophesied that troubled times were ahead and that war

was coming, he urged the King to send Arthur away and let him

be brought up in secret. The King agreed, Merlin was given the

responsibility of taking care of Arthur. He sent baby Arthur to the

country to be brought up by Sir Ector a trustworthy retired knight

and his family. Arthur grew up with his father, mother and foster

brother Kay. He wasn’t told who his real parents were or what his

true identity was. His parents treated him kindly but his older brother treated Arthur much like a servant and Arthur, who looked up to Kay, kindly obeyed. Arthur helped Kay in his sparing and riding and followed him around until Kay was ready to be knighted. Merlin, who had always checked on Arthur, advised Sir Ector to escort Kay to his knighting ceremony at the castle. By this time Arthur had turned sixteen, that was the last record of Arthur’s childhood.