King Arthur is a medieval, mythological figure who was the head of the kingdom Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. It is not known if there was a real Arthur, but he may have been based on a warrior from the 5th or 6th century.

Arthur has come to represent the fight of good against evil, light against darkness, and that eternal, never-ending struggle between right and wrong. Justice, honor, chivalry.

Merlin had created a round table at which 150 knights could sit for Arthur’s father. When Arthur’s father died, the knights didn’t know who to follow. Merlin said that whoever could pull the mysterious sword from the stone was the one who was worthy to be king. Many tried but all failed. Arthur was attending his foster brother, Sir Kay, and went to find a sword to replace Kay’s broken one. He found the sword in the stone, and not knowing the prophecy, pulled the sword from the stone and was declared king.

Uther Pendragon

When Arthur discovers that his wife and Sir Lancelot are having an affair, Sir Lancelot flees for France and Arthur pursues him. In his absence, Arthur's nephew Mordred seizes power. Arthur returns to Britain and a terrible battle ensures, during which most of his knights die and he is grievously wounded. He has Excalibur thrown back into the lake, and boards a boat for the magical Isle of Avalon. Here, he hopes to be cured of his wounds so that he might return to lead his people again. For this reason, Arthur is called "the once and future king."