| Arthurian
myth tells that King Uther Pendragon, besotted with Ygraine, wife of Gorlois,
the Duke of Cornwall, paid her so much attention that Gorlois decided
on war against Uther. Uther laid siege to Gorlois in the castle of Dimilioc,
whilst Ygraine was safe in the impregnable fortress of Tintagel. The sorcerer
Merlin, with foreknowledge of events yet to come, cast a spell over Uther
so that he took on the appearance of Gorlois, and together they gained
access to Tintagel, where Ygraine was deceived into sleeping with Uther,
believing him to be her husband. In such manner was conceived Arthur,
future king of all Britain. |
