King Arthur was a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries whose life is debated by modern historians and the source material for various tales. Who was this King? Was Arthur his real name? A common legend goes like this: Arthur was the first-born son of the King of England, who ruled over very troubled lands. The wizard Merlin suggested the baby be raised in secret so he wouldn't be affected by the poisonous atmosphere of the Monarchy and a war-torn country. Merlin used his magic to ensure that Arthur would one day take his rightful place as King: He enchanted a sword and place it inside a large stone. Only the rightful born heir would be able to pull it out. Though many tried to retrieve the noble weapon, none succeeded until Arthur chanced upon the sword in the stone and pulled it straight out. After he became king, Arthur led the Knights of the Round Table to save England from the Saxons. This tale and a bit of history have inspired countless works of literature, theater productions and films.
