Uther Pendragon

British king. Uther Pendragon was the youngest son of Constantine, and brother of Constans and Aurelius. Uther was the father of Arthur.

After his father died, his eldest brother Constans became the British king. However, Constans' advisor Vortigern tricked some Pictish mercenaries into killing the young king. Vortigern then seized the throne.

Fearing for Constantine's younger sons' lives, the foster-father sent Aurelius and Uther to their relatives in Brittany, France.

Vortigern was a tyrant who allowed the Saxons to live in Britain. Vortigern married a daughter of a Saxon chieftain named Hengest. Vortigern had the Saxons recruited into his army to repel the Picts from the north. The Britons did not like the Saxons, because more Saxons arrived every year from the Continent. Even Vortigern's own son Vortimer disliked his father's bride and the pagan Saxons. War broke out between the Saxons and the Britons. Later, Vortigern's father-in-law Hengest treacherously overthrew Vortigern.

When the two exiled brothers returned to Britain, they decided to take revenge upon Vortigern and drive the Saxons out of Britain. Vortigern died in a burning castle. Hengest was captured and killed. They had his body cut to pieces. Aurelius then became king of Britain.

Vortigern and Hengest's sons either escaped or were captured. They would attack the Britons again. Aurelius faced a new war against the Saxons and Vortigern's son.

While Aurelius was ill, Uther led the army against the Saxons. One night, Uther and Merlin saw several comets that lit the sky, in the shape of a dragon. Merlin informed Uther that his brother had died from poisoning, and that he was now the new king. It was Merlin who attached the name Pendragon at the end of Uther's name.

After crushing the Saxons in the last battle, Uther held a celebration in London, inviting his allies. Among the guests was Gorlois, the duke of Cornwall. Gorlois had been instrumental to Uther's victory; it was Gorlois' strategy that defeated the Saxons. Gorlois brought his young and extremely beautiful wife named Igraine. Uther fell instantly in love with Igraine, and it was so obvious that Gorlois left the celebration early with his wife. Uther didn't want Gorlois to leave early, threatening the duke with war.

During the war against Gorlois, Uther was still so infatuated with Igraine that the king asked Merlin for advice. Merlin transformed Uther to look exactly like Igraine's husband. While Gorlois was busy defending his castle, Uther seduced the duke's wife. That night, Arthur was conceived. Gorlois also died that night. The men of Cornwall had no choice but to surrender to Uther. Uther married Igraine, and Arthur was born. Arthur's sister Anna was born a year later.

Uther had to fight with Hengest's son again in another battle, in which he defeated and killed Hengest's son. However, Uther was also poisoned. Arthur, who had just turned fifteen, became king of Britain.

In the Welsh legend, the story was almost the same as that told by Geoffrey of Monmouth. He was called Uthr Bendragon. Uthr was infatuated with Eigyr or Eigr (Igraine), the daughter of King Amlawddydd Wledig and wife of Gwrlais (Duke of Cornwall). With the help of Merlin, he seduced Eigyr by assuming the form of Gwrlais. Eigyr became pregnant with Arthur.