Arthur

Arthur in 514 AD

**Arthur** *ab Uther* was born in Gododdin in 474 AD.

## Biography

In 480 AD, after a failed assassination attempt by a Saxon, Arthur was sent to be a ward along with his sister. He was fostered by Cadwallon, in the kingdom of Gwynedd. Amongst his education he received martial education from Fadlan, and literary and political education from Cunhenac. He befriended Cadwallon's son, Maelgwn. He lived in the capital town of Deganwy. He attented the festival of Calan Mai in nearby South Rheged and slept with a druidess, unwittingly fathering a bastard. The mother died shortly after the birth of eclampsia. He fought at the Battle of Tremlyd and killed Cola of Trēow.

A year later, in 490 AD, Cadwallon joined the other kings in trying to help defeat the Saxons trying to invade Wales. At this Battle of Gobania, as it came to be known as, Prince Arthur commanded his own small group of cavalrymen.

In 492 AD, he returned home, at the age of 18. Shortly after his sister and two cousins, Lenlug and Bard, arrived back from Ireland. Arthur and Lenlug helped Uther in small skirmishes against the Saxons and Picts.

Two years later, a young fifteen-year old girl named Gwenhwyfar and her younger sister Elen, daughters of Lleudd Ogrfan. Arthur and her fell in love and married a year after, in 495 AD. Arthur's gift from Gwenhwyfar's father was a sword forged from high quality meteorite steel, Caledfulch.

A few weeks later, Galchobhar returned with terrible news: Uther had been struck down in combat by the Saxon Cerdic. Arthur, angered and bound by honour to avenge his father, was declared king and quickly rode down to southern Britain to try and kill Cerdic.

While they slaughtered the encampment where he was staying, Cerdic escaped. Arthur returned with his father's body and gave it a pagan burial.

He immediately started planning on how to make a united effort to destroy the Saxons, sending word to the various kings of Britain. One of these he met himself: Caw of Strathclyde. Cautious because of the lack of Saxon attacks in Strathclyde, and after giving two of his sons to Arthur's army, Caw agreed to help any kingdom of the North if it got invaded by the Saxons.

Many of the kings were invited to feast at Din Eidyn. Several answered the call, including Urbgen of Rheged, who brought his son Accolon.

Arthur and several friends and family went fishing the day after. Though Morgana and Accolon were starting to get interested in each other, Arthur made a hard but important proposal to Urbgen: a marriage to Morgana.

In 496 AD, Arthur was crowned King of Gododdin. He was also asked to deal with two issues: a dispute between King Brychan and King Gwenllyw, and a possible Saxon raid in North Rheged.

First traveling to Rheged, Caius and Arthur rested there on their way. They then moved on to Wales, where Arthur settled the dispute between the two kings. Heading back to Caer Ligualid, Arthur, Caius and Urbgen investigated the raid, and found it was indeed perpetrated by the Saxons.

Arthur and Caius then made their final journey, this time to Dumnonia.

After the Battle of Badon, he was known as *Ymrawdr*.

## Personality

Arthur is brave, but also disorganised, making him quite forgetful and a poor tactician. He is generous, as evidenced by his donations to the druidry (later the Church) and his vassals. He does not hesitate to give Thiudareiks some lands in Wales.

He was also an impetuous man, though that could be seen as a good quality in leaders. He was popular, and had his vassals and people' respect, barring a few exceptions such as The Cibenn Rebellion.

He hated compromising, and was not a very forgiving person, much like his father (who bore a lifelong grudge against Vortigern and the Saxons). Nor is he patient.

He enjoys plum wine.

## Relationships

### Parents

**Uther:** Arthur had a great amount of respect for his father.

**Igraine:** Arthur loved his mother dearly.

### Siblings

**Morgana:** Arthur and his sister got on very well.

### Wives

**Gwenhwyfar:** They met when Gwen was fostered in Gododdin. Their relationship started off quickly, and they were soon married in 495.

### Children

**Elen:** Elen was born while Arthur was convalescing in Gododdin from a wound to the chest.

### Nieces and Nephews

**Morrigan:** Arthur never met Morrigan, and she died soon after she was born. Her death saddened him all the same, and his sister's pain.

### Uncles and Aunts

**Lleu:** Arthur is on good terms with Lleu.

### First Cousins

**Gwalchmai:** Arthur trusts Gwalchmai a great deal, mainly because of the latter's trustworthy and trusting personality.

### Friends

**Cadwallon:** As his foster-father and distant cousin, Arthur held Cadwallon in high regard.

**Maelgwn:** His foster-brother and distant cousin, Arthur and Maelgwn were good friends, despite the age gap.

## Quotes

"Then we shall hunt this Cerdic down. For too long have the Saxons been plaguing our lands, and for too
long have we tolerated their presence. Our last efforts have been in vain, but
now we must unite all the Britons, despite our differences, and kill them all."

""Bring me their heads!" -Badon

"I have been where was slain Llacheu, son of Arthur, marvellous in song, when ravens croaked over his blood. Arthur sang it."