Uther Pendragon , also known as King Uther, is a legendary king of sub-Roman Britain and the father of King Arthur. Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, University of Wales Press, Vol III, 1994, p. 2726-2739, "pen", "pendragon"; Vol I, 1963 p. 1081, "dragon". However, the Saxons soon contrive his death by poisoning a spring which he drinks from near Verulamium.[10]. Zteve has two websites dedicated to myths, legends and folklore from around the world. According to another local legend, Uther and many of his men died here when the Saxons poisoned the well (but other legends give St Albans as the location for his death). See more ideas about Arthurian, Legend of king, Arthurian legend. [PDF] Nennius – History Of The Britons (Historia Brittonum … – York University Arthur would drive out the invading Saxons, bring peace to the country and build an empire in Europe. He advised Uther to seek the arts of Merlin, as he believed he alone would have the skill and knowledge to help in his predicament. Vortigern makes an alliance with the Saxons under Hengist, but it goes disastrously wrong. But the other ray signifies a daughter, whose sons and grandsons shall successively enjoy the kingdom of Britain.” (1), Artist unknown, active near Augsburg [Public domain]. Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall, whose military advice had saved Uther from defeat and gained a remarkable victory from the Saxons, also attended with his wife Igraine. Furthermore, he would also alter the appearance of Ulfin into that of Jordan of Tintagel, a friend of Gorlois, and he would change himself into Bricel, another friend of the duke. King Arthur and his knights were not the only characters important to all of the legends and prominent in the stories having to do with the Arthurian Era. Uther was now totally lost in his infatuation and mustered his army and marched on Gorlois, laying waste to towns and cities on his way. Make haste, therefore, most noble Uther, make haste to engage the enemy: the victory will be yours, and you shall be king of all Britain, For the star, and the fiery dragon under it, signifies yourself, and the ray extending towards the Gallic coast, portends that you shall have a most potent son, to whose power all those kingdoms shall be subject over which the ray reaches. In Cumbria, he is said to have founded his kingdom in Mallerstang and to have tried to divert the River Eden to make a moat around his castle. Uther was usually seen as a strong king and a great warrior but could also be vain, quick tempered, impulsive and ungrateful at times. Uther called his commanders to report to him and he was told of the ending of the siege of Dimilioc and how Gorlois had died. Henry of Huntingdon calls him King Arthur’s brother while a Cumbrian legend makes him a giant. Nevertheless, when love strikes as it struck Uther, the result can be devastating. The Petit Brut tells how he fought a dragon-serpent in Westmorland (now part of Cumbria). Alas! Ulfin advised Uther that Tintagel could not be taken by force, being virtually surrounded by sea. Another part in the prophecy of Merlin was beginning to slowly unfold. A huge thank you to all of our official sponsors, and everyone who pledges to keep #FolkloreThursday running! The messenger told how he had been buried in the Giant’s Dance, the monument he had caused Uther and Merlin to bring to Britain, thus, sadly confirming another part of the prophecy. [9], The name Pendragon was first recorded in 1309 and is likely to have been a product of later medieval enthusiasm for Arthurian romance. He was now less than half a day’s march from Pascentius and Gillomanius who presented a real threat that could not be ignored or postponed. That night, amid violence, lust and magic, a life was conceived, which in turn would become Arthur, the greatest of the Kings of the Britons. (This looks like a garbling of some source that told of Mazadân's alliance with the Fay Morgan in Terre de la Joye; the "Land of Joy".) Merlin probably inspired the 'Ageless Stranger', Modred, King Arthur's traitorous nephew, probably inspired the, Camelot probably inspired the Fabled land of the. The Arthurian Legend is a legend of the great King Arthur. Of course all the contenders for the throne took their turn at trying to draw the sword, but none could succeed. The legendary Uther Pendragon was the father of Arthur Pendragon, who was destined to become the greatest King of the Britons. Such was its magnitude, it could be seen all across Britain and beyond, and filled the people with fear and dread not knowing what it might portend. He is a fairly ambiguous individual throughout the literature, but is described as a strong king and a defender of his people. Uther is best known from Geoffrey's Historia Regum Britanniae (1136) where he is the youngest son of King of Britannia, Constantine III. [8], Uthyr's other reference, Triad 51, however, shows influence from Geoffrey's Historia. King Uther Pendragon was the father of King Arthur and the brother of Ambrosius, whom he succeeded as King of Britain. While others are minor characters, yet notable for their roles in the legend. Uther Pendragon, whose last name derives from a Welsh title pen dragon or pen draig (‘head dragon’ or ‘chief warrior’), is a rather strange and shadowy figure. Uther Pendragon had got his heart’s desire but the world of the King of the Britons was still a dangerous place. He would become the most famous of legendary British rulers and heroes, the “once and future king”, who would return one day to save his country from future peril. As Aurelius lay seriously ill in Winchester, word came that Pascentius, the son of Vortigern, and Gillomanius the King of Ireland had landed with an invading army. Uther marries Igerna and they have a daughter called Anna (in later romances she is called Morgause and is usually Igerna's daughter by her previous marriage). As soon as Uther heard of this, he decided to attack straight away, and hope to profit from their foolishness. The battle raged all day, until nightfall brought rest to both sides. Immediately the invaders attacked the towns and cities and left the countryside in ruins. He summoned one of his friends, Ulfin, for advice. No content from this site may be used elsewhere without the permission of either #FolkloreThursday or the article author.