# Uther Pendragon — Le Morte d’Arthur character guide

> Uther Pendragon in Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** King Uther, Uther, King Uther Pendragon

**First appearance:** 0003-book-i

## Who they are

Arthur's father, the former king of Britain.

## In the story

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-i)

King of Britain, father of Arthur, dies at the beginning of the chapter after warring against the Duke of Cornwall.

### [How Uther Pendragon Sent for the Duke of Cornwall and Igraine His Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i)

King of all England, falls sick from love and anger over Igraine.

### [How Uther Pendragon Made War on the Duke of Cornwall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii)

King Uther, with Merlin's aid, disguises himself to lie with Igraine and begets Arthur; later marries Igraine.

### [Of the Birth of King Arthur and of His Nurture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii)

King Uther acknowledges himself as Arthur's father, reassures Igraine, and arranges for the child's fostering with Sir Ector as advised by Merlin.

### [Of the death of King Uther Pendragon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv)

King Uther falls sick, leads his army despite illness, wins a battle, and on his deathbed declares Arthur his heir.

### [How King Arthur held in Wales, at a Pentecost, a great feast, and what kings and lords came to his feast.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii)

Mentioned by Merlin as Arthur's father, begotten on Igraine after the duke's death.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxiii)

Invoked by Arthur when swearing by his father's soul in his defiance of Rome.

### [The Sword and the Damosel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i)

His death is referenced as the event preceding Arthur's reign.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi)

Mentioned as having wedded Igraine after the Duke of Tintagil, father of Arthur.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters/uther_pendragon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters