Who King Arthur is
King Arthur is the son of Uther Pendragon and Igraine, but his childhood gives him no knowledge of his crown. Merlin places him with Sir Ector, and Arthur grows up believing Ector is his father and Sir Kay his brother.
When Arthur draws the sword from the stone, he reveals his right to rule England. The nobles resist accepting a boy of unknown birth, so he must prove his claim repeatedly.
What King Arthur wants
Arthur seeks to hold his kingdom together and establish order among proud men. At the Round Table, he gathers knights who swear to reject treason, show mercy, and help ladies and gentlewomen. The round shape gives no knight a place above another, making fellowship part of his rule.
King Arthur and the others in the story
Merlin guides Arthur with counsel and warnings as the young king learns to command. Arthur marries Queen Guenever, whose father gives them the Round Table as a wedding gift. He trusts Sir Launcelot du Lake, yet the knight's bond with Guenever puts that trust under strain.
Questions
How does King Arthur become king?
Arthur establishes his claim by pulling a sword from a stone, though the nobles do not accept him at once.
Is King Arthur a just ruler?
Arthur tries to rule justly, asking his knights to practice mercy and avoid treason. His fellowship depends on people whose pride and private loyalties can conflict with those promises.
Why does the Grail quest trouble King Arthur?
Arthur fears that the quest will scatter his knights and that many will not return. The fellowship he works to build must now send its knights out alone.