King Arthur was the son of Igraine and King Uther Pendragon. Growing up he was tutored by the magician Merlin. He became the King of England after extracting the sword Excalibur from a rock. Soon after he was crowned he formed the famous "Round Table" for the Greatest knights of the world on his court in Camelot.

Later, despite of Merlin's warnings, he married Gwenivere, who had an affair with the noble Lancelot. This romance lead to the downfall of Arthur’s realms, when his nephew Mordred saw the opportunity to take over Camelot. During the mortal combat between Arthur and Mordred at the battle of Camlan, Arthur kills Mordred with a spear thrust, and was mortally wounded in return. Arthur's last remaining companions, Lucan and Bedivere, helped him from the field, but Lucan dies of his ghastly wounds, which burst in the effort. Weakening, Arthur repeatedly begs Bedivere to throw Excalibur into the lake until he has completed the task.

Bedivere then helps the High King to a mysterious barge containing three queens and many other mourning women. The barge bears him away towards the Isle of Avalon to be healed. Whether he died, and if so where he was truly buried, is all shrouded in mystery. Some say he was buried at Glastonbury. But others believe he survived his wounds and will return again one day. For that reason, Arthur is known as "Rex Quondam Rexque Futurus" -- "The Once and Future King."