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''This entry is on the King Arthur character. For other meanings, go to ]''. :''This article is about the character from Arthurian legend. For other uses, see ]''.

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'''Mordred''' or '''Modred''' (]: '''Medraut''') is a legendary figure of ], known in the ] as a notorious ] who fought ] at the ], where he was killed, and Arthur fatally wounded. Tradition varies on his relationship to Arthur, but he is best known today as Arthur's ] son by his half-sister ]. In earlier literature, he was considered Morgause (Anna)'s legitimate son with her husband ] of Orkney. His brothers or half-brothers are ], ], ], and ]. '''Mordred''' or '''Modred''' (]: '''Medraut''') is a legendary figure of ], known in ] as a notorious ] who fought ] at the ], where he was killed and Arthur fatally wounded. Tradition varies on his relationship to Arthur, but he is best known today as Arthur's ] son by his half-sister ]. In earlier literature, he was considered Morgause (Anna)'s legitimate son with her husband ] of Orkney. His brothers or half-brothers are ], ], ], and ].


==Mordred's background== ==Mordred's background==
The illegitimacy angle started with the ] (]) Cycle, and has been repeated in most later versions. In those versions, the incest is usually accidental; the participants don't know they were related at the time (Arthur didn't know anything about his birth mother). In one version Morgause mistakes Arthur for her husband visiting her in the night. In another Arthur rapes his sister after falling in love with her. In any case the discovery of the incest is usually disasterous. After hearing a prophesy that a child born on ] (as Mordred was) will destroy him and his kingdom, Arthur rounds up all the noble babies born during May and sends them away on a rickety ship. The ship sinks, and the only child to survive is Mordred, who is rescued and eventually returned to his parents. The illegitimacy angle started with the ] (]) Cycle, and has been taken up in most later versions. In those versions, the incest is usually accidental; the participants don't know they were related at the time (Arthur didn't know anything about his birth mother). In one version Morgause mistakes Arthur for her husband visiting her in the night. In another Arthur rapes his sister after falling in love with her. In any case the discovery of the incest is usually disasterous; after hearing a prophesy that a child born on ] (as Mordred was) will destroy him and his kingdom, Arthur rounds up all the noble babies born during May and sends them away on a rickety ship. The ship sinks, and the only child to survive is Mordred, who is rescued and eventually returned to his parents.


==Mordred in Arthurian legend== ==Mordred in Arthurian legend==
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:''The strife of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut fell.'' :''The strife of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut fell.''


The ''Annales'' themselves were completed around A.D. ]. Mordred was associated with Camlann even at that early date, but the ''Annales''' brief line gives no information as to whether he killed or was killed by Arthur, or even if he was fighting against him. Even if he wasn't yet the famous villain he would later become, his appearances in ] and ] show he was at least a well known personage. The ''Annales'' themselves were completed around A.D. ]. Mordred was associated with Camlann even at that early date, but the ''Annales''' brief line gives no information as to whether he killed or was killed by Arthur, or even if he was fighting against him. But even if he wasn't yet the notorious villain he would later become, his appearances in the ] and ] show he was at least a well known personage.


The earliest known full account of Mordred is found in ]'s '']'', where he debuts already in his traitorous role. Geoffrey introduced the figure of Mordred to the world beyond ] with his account of Arthur's leaving Mordred in charge of his throne as he crosses the ] to wage war on ] of ]. During the Arthur's absence Mordred crowns himself king and marries ], forcing Arthur to return to Britain. The Battle of Camlann is fought, and Mordred dies while Arthur is taken to ]. Arthur's successor, ], has to deal with the remainder of Mordred's army, led by his sons (see ]). The earliest full account of Mordred is found in ]'s '']'', where he debuts already in his traitorous role. Geoffrey introduced the figure of Mordred to the world beyond ], detailing that Arthur left Mordred in charge of his throne as he crossed the ] to wage war on ] of ]. During Arthur's absence Mordred crowns himself king and marries ], forcing Arthur to return to Britain. The Battle of Camlann is fought, and Mordred dies while Arthur is taken to ]. Arthur's successor, ], has to deal with the remainder of Mordred's army, led by his sons (see ]).


A number of ] sources also refer to Medraut, usually in relation to Camlann. One triad, based on Geoffrey's ''Historia'', provides an account of his betrayal of Arthur; in another, he is described as the author of one of the "Three Unrestrained Ravagings of the Isle of Britain" -- he came to Arthur's court at ] in ], devoured all of the food and drink, and even dragged ] (Guinevere) from her throne and beat her. Medraut is never considered Arthur's son in Welsh texts, only his nephew, though '']'' mentions that Arthur had been his foster father. A number of ] sources also refer to Medraut, usually in relation to Camlann. One triad, based on Geoffrey's ''Historia'', provides an account of his betrayal of Arthur; in another, he is described as the author of one of the "Three Unrestrained Ravagings of the Isle of Britain" -- he came to Arthur's court at ] in ], devoured all of the food and drink, and even dragged ] (Guinevere) from her throne and beat her. Medraut is never considered Arthur's son in Welsh texts, only his nephew, though '']'' mentions that the king had been his foster father.


In Geoffrey and certain other sources such as the '']'', Mordred marries Guinevere, seemingly consentually, after he steals the throne. However, in later writings like ] Cycle and ]'s '']'' Guinevere is not treated as a traitor and she flees Mordred's proposal and hides in the ]. Adultery is still tied to her role, however, but Mordred has been replaced with ]. In Geoffrey and certain other sources such as the '']'', Mordred marries Guinevere, seemingly consentually, after he steals the throne. However, in later writings like ] Cycle and ]'s '']'' Guinevere is not treated as a traitor and she flees Mordred's proposal and hides in the ]. Adultery is still tied to her role in these later romances, however, but Mordred has been replaced with ].


Geoffrey and the Lancelot-Grail Cycle have Mordred being succeeded by his two sons. In Geoffrey, Arthur's successor Constantine tracks them down and kills them in their sanctuaries; in the Lancelot-Grail, Melehan is killed by ] and Melou by Lancelot. Geoffrey and the Lancelot-Grail Cycle have Mordred being succeeded by his two sons. In Geoffrey, Arthur's successor Constantine tracks them down and kills them in their sanctuaries; in the Lancelot-Grail, Melehan is killed by ] and Melou by Lancelot.


==Mordred in later works== ==Mordred in later works==
Virtually everywhere Mordred appears, his name is synonymous with treachery, a fate also shared by ] from the '']''. In '']'', Mordred is condemned to the ninth circle of ], the region of ], reserved for traitors to family. A few works of the ] and today, however, portray Mordred as less a traitor and more a conflicted opportunist, or even a victim of fate. ] ] chronicler ] even claimed that Mordred was the rightful heir to the throne of Britain, as Arthur was illegitimate (in his account, Mordred was the legitimate son of ] and ]). This sentiment was elaborated upon by ] and by ], who in his ''Historia Gentis Scotorum'' goes so far as to say Arthur and Gawain were traitors and villains, who stole the throne from Mordred. Virtually everywhere Mordred appears, his name is synonymous with treachery, a fate also shared by ] from the '']''. In '']'', Mordred is condemned to the ninth circle of ], the region of ], reserved for traitors to family. A few works of the ] and today, however, portray Mordred as less a traitor and more a conflicted opportunist, or even a victim of fate. The ] ] chronicler ] even claimed that Mordred was the rightful heir to the throne of Britain, as Arthur was illegitimate (in his account, Mordred was the legitimate son of ] and ]). This sentiment was elaborated upon by ] and by ], who in his ''Historia Gentis Scotorum'' goes so far as to say Arthur and Gawain were traitors and villains, who stole the throne from Mordred.


Some modern Arthurian works have ] as Mordred's mother; this comes from conflating her character with her sister Morgause's. He remains a major villain in many modern takes on the legend, including ]'s film '']'', ]'s '']'' and ]'s popular ] '']'' (and the ] based on it, '']''). In ]'s '']'', Mordred is the legitimate grandson of ], sole heir to the throne, and Arthur serves as the kingdom's ] during Mordred's minority (despite being frequently urged to seize the throne, as Mordred, even at an early age, appears cruel and unsuitable). Some modern Arthurian works have ] as Mordred's mother; this comes from conflating her character with her sister Morgause's. Mordred remains a major villain in many modern takes on the legend, including ]'s film '']'', ]'s novel '']'' and ]'s popular ] '']'' (and the ] based on it, '']''). In ]'s '']'', Mordred is the legitimate grandson and heir of ], and Arthur serves as the kingdom's ] during his minority.


==External links== ==External links==

Revision as of 18:13, 15 January 2006

This article is about the character from Arthurian legend. For other uses, see Mordred (disambiguation).

Mordred or Modred (Welsh: Medraut) is a legendary figure of Britain, known in Arthurian legend as a notorious traitor who fought King Arthur at the Battle of Camlann, where he was killed and Arthur fatally wounded. Tradition varies on his relationship to Arthur, but he is best known today as Arthur's illegitimate son by his half-sister Morgause. In earlier literature, he was considered Morgause (Anna)'s legitimate son with her husband King Lot of Orkney. His brothers or half-brothers are Gawain, Agravain, Gaheris, and Gareth.

Mordred's background

The illegitimacy angle started with the Lancelot-Grail (Vulgate) Cycle, and has been taken up in most later versions. In those versions, the incest is usually accidental; the participants don't know they were related at the time (Arthur didn't know anything about his birth mother). In one version Morgause mistakes Arthur for her husband visiting her in the night. In another Arthur rapes his sister after falling in love with her. In any case the discovery of the incest is usually disasterous; after hearing a prophesy that a child born on May Day (as Mordred was) will destroy him and his kingdom, Arthur rounds up all the noble babies born during May and sends them away on a rickety ship. The ship sinks, and the only child to survive is Mordred, who is rescued and eventually returned to his parents.

Mordred in Arthurian legend

Mordred appears very early in Arthurian literature. The first mention of him, as Medraut, occurs in the Annales Cambriae entry for the year 537:

The strife of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut fell.

The Annales themselves were completed around A.D. 970. Mordred was associated with Camlann even at that early date, but the Annales' brief line gives no information as to whether he killed or was killed by Arthur, or even if he was fighting against him. But even if he wasn't yet the notorious villain he would later become, his appearances in the Welsh Triads and genealogies show he was at least a well known personage.

The earliest full account of Mordred is found in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, where he debuts already in his traitorous role. Geoffrey introduced the figure of Mordred to the world beyond Wales, detailing that Arthur left Mordred in charge of his throne as he crossed the English Channel to wage war on Emperor Lucius of Rome. During Arthur's absence Mordred crowns himself king and marries Guinevere, forcing Arthur to return to Britain. The Battle of Camlann is fought, and Mordred dies while Arthur is taken to Avalon. Arthur's successor, Constantine III of Britain, has to deal with the remainder of Mordred's army, led by his sons (see Melehan and Melou).

A number of Welsh sources also refer to Medraut, usually in relation to Camlann. One triad, based on Geoffrey's Historia, provides an account of his betrayal of Arthur; in another, he is described as the author of one of the "Three Unrestrained Ravagings of the Isle of Britain" -- he came to Arthur's court at Kelliwic in Cornwall, devoured all of the food and drink, and even dragged Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere) from her throne and beat her. Medraut is never considered Arthur's son in Welsh texts, only his nephew, though The Dream of Rhonabwy mentions that the king had been his foster father.

In Geoffrey and certain other sources such as the Alliterative Morte Arthure, Mordred marries Guinevere, seemingly consentually, after he steals the throne. However, in later writings like Lancelot-Grail Cycle and Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur Guinevere is not treated as a traitor and she flees Mordred's proposal and hides in the Tower of London. Adultery is still tied to her role in these later romances, however, but Mordred has been replaced with Lancelot.

Geoffrey and the Lancelot-Grail Cycle have Mordred being succeeded by his two sons. In Geoffrey, Arthur's successor Constantine tracks them down and kills them in their sanctuaries; in the Lancelot-Grail, Melehan is killed by Bors and Melou by Lancelot.

Mordred in later works

Virtually everywhere Mordred appears, his name is synonymous with treachery, a fate also shared by Ganelon from the Song of Roland. In The Divine Comedy, Mordred is condemned to the ninth circle of Hell, the region of Cocytus, reserved for traitors to family. A few works of the Middle Ages and today, however, portray Mordred as less a traitor and more a conflicted opportunist, or even a victim of fate. The 14th century Scottish chronicler John of Fordun even claimed that Mordred was the rightful heir to the throne of Britain, as Arthur was illegitimate (in his account, Mordred was the legitimate son of Lot and Anna). This sentiment was elaborated upon by Walter Bower and by Hector Boece, who in his Historia Gentis Scotorum goes so far as to say Arthur and Gawain were traitors and villains, who stole the throne from Mordred.

Some modern Arthurian works have Morgan le Fay as Mordred's mother; this comes from conflating her character with her sister Morgause's. Mordred remains a major villain in many modern takes on the legend, including John Boorman's film Excalibur, T.H. White's novel The Once and Future King and Hal Foster's popular comic strip Prince Valiant (and the animated television series based on it, The Legend of Prince Valiant). In Bernard Cornwell's The Warlord Chronicles, Mordred is the legitimate grandson and heir of Uther Pendragon, and Arthur serves as the kingdom's regent during his minority.

External links

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