King Arthur, often called the "Once and Future King," is the legendary ruler of Britain whose story blends history, myth, and romance. According to the legend, Arthur was the son of King Uther Pendragon and was raised in secret. He proved his right to the throne by drawing the magical sword Excalibur from a stone, an act that no one else could accomplish.
As king, Arthur established his court at Camelot and gathered the noble Knights of the Round Table, including figures such as Lancelot, Gawain, and Percival. Together they defended the kingdom and embarked on quests, most famously the search for the Holy Grail. Arthur's reign came to symbolise justice, chivalry, and the ideal of a united realm.
However, his kingdom eventually fell because of betrayal and internal strife. The love affair between Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere weakened the Round Table, while Arthur's nephew (or son, in some versions) Mordred rebelled against him. In the final battle at Camlann, Arthur mortally wounded Mordred but was himself gravely injured.
Rather than dying, Arthur was carried to the mystical isle of Avalon. Legend says he sleeps there, awaiting the day when Britain needs him most. This belief gives rise to his title, the "Once and Future King": the king who ruled in the past and who may one day return.