King Arthur is an important figure in the mythology of Great Britain, where he appears as the ideal of kingship in both war and peace. He is the central character in the cycle of legends known as the Matter of Britain. There is disagreement about whether Arthur, or a model for him, ever actually existed. In the earliest mentions and in Welsh texts, he is never given the title "King." Early texts refer to him as a dux bellorum ("war leader"), and medieval Welsh texts often call him ameraudur ("emperor"; the word is borrowed from the Latin imperator, which could also mean "war leader"). The historicity of the Arthur of legend has long been debated by scholars. One school of thought believes that Arthur had no historical existence. Another view holds that Arthur was a real person, who by most theories was a Romano-British leader and lived sometime in the late 5th century to early 6th century and fought against the invading Saxons. Recent archaeological studies show that during this alleged figure's lifetime, the Saxon expansions were halted until the next generation. If he existed, his power base would probably have been in the Celtic areas of Wales, Cornwall, or the west of modern England.

In the tales, Arthur marries Lady Guinevere, but Guinevere is having a secret affair with Lancelot, one of Arthur’s best knights. Guinevere and Lancelot’s love affair divides Camelot; during the conflict with Lancelot, Arthur discovers the Saxons' plan to attack. He fights and defeats them, while at the same time, his half-brother Mordred plans to take over the throne. Arthur fights Mordred in a battle that leaves many knights dead. Arthur kills Mordred but before Mordred dies, he mortally wounds the King. After Arthur dies, the Lady of the Lake takes him to the island of Avalon, where, it is said, he is not dead but asleep. He will awake and come to the aid of Britain in its hour of greatest need. 

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