King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)

King Arthur is a main character and the closest figure to a protagonist, though he plays a minor role in Books 2 and 3. Arthur is the son of King Uther Pendragon and Igrayne, but Sir Ector secretly raises him. Merlin takes Arthur to Avalon as a baby where he is blessed with three things: “That he should be the best of all knights; that he should be the greatest king this land shall ever know; and that he should live long—longer than any man shall ever know” (12). These blessings, his royal lineage, and his inherent virtue combine to make the lords of Britain loyally follow him and flock to his court. Arthur rules with a strict code of honor, and anyone who doesn’t uphold this code isn’t allowed to be a Knight of the Round Table—or is dealt swift justice. Arthur takes equality seriously, and he always gives the same courtesy and attention to those of both high and low ranks, to men and women.

Arthur comes to the crown when he pulls the sword from the anvil, and he immediately accepts his divine destiny of uniting Britain. Arthur brings Britain’s longest era of peace by defeating, banishing, or converting the Saxons.