We begin at the beginning, as first styled by Geoffrey of Monmouth. It was at Tintagel where Arthur was conceived (and, one tale says, where he later died).
When Uther Pendragon became king, he fell under the enchanting spell of Ygerna (Igraine), wife of Gorlois, the duke of Cornwall. Now Gorlois it was who had suggested the brilliant strategy that gave Uther a great victory over the Saxons not too long before this. Still, desire is a powerful driving force. Uther was smitten with Ygerna and he would have her. Gorlois, of course, who was married to her, wanted her for himself (naturally).
Insulted that the new king was paying so much attention to her, he stormed out of the gathering and retired to his castle, ignoring subsequent summons to address his king. Uther considered this an act of war and sallied forth to Cornwall. Gorlois ensonced his wife in Tintagel Castle, which could be defended by a mere handful of men, and banded himself up behind the walls of Dimilioc Castle. Uther laid siege and settled down to wait. However, his lust for Ygerna overcome his desire to wait, and he charged Merlin with finding a way for him to get to Ygerna. Merlin, being the wise man that he was, made it possible. Geoffrey says that Merlin used "drugs"; later writers have said Merlin used magic. Whatever he did, it looked to the Tintagel guards like their leader Gorlois was returning that night. Uther passed into the castle and into the arms of Ygerna. Did she know? Was she part of the plot? No one knows. Yet of that coupling came Arthur.
earl@rune-stones.co.uk