uþer

uþer is a character from the Arthurian legends. He is most famously known as the father of King Arthur. While the exact details of his parentage and reign vary between different versions of the legend, uþer is consistently portrayed as a powerful king.

In the most common retellings, such as Geoffrey of Monmouth's *Historia Regum Britanniae*, uþer Pendragon is the King of Britain. His reign is often depicted as a time of conflict and political instability. A pivotal moment in his story involves his infatuation with Igraine, the wife of Duke Gorlois of Cornwall. Through magical intervention, often attributed to the sorcerer Merlin, uþer is able to disguise himself and conceive Arthur with Igraine.

Following Gorlois's death, uþer marries Igraine. Arthur is then taken by Merlin to be raised in secret, away from courtly intrigue and potential rivals. uþer's death usually occurs shortly after Arthur's conception or birth, leaving the future of Britain uncertain until Arthur is revealed as the rightful heir. The legend of uþer serves as a crucial foundation for Arthur's origin story, establishing his royal lineage and the circumstances of his miraculous birth. His character, though often less developed than Arthur's, is essential to the overarching narrative of the Arthurian cycle.