The Legend if King Arthur is arguably the most famous legend in the Western world. The world of Arthur encompasses a great deal more than the king and his Camelot. Arthur is the source of countless works of literature and art both ancient and modern, and his world is also the origin for many characters that have, in the context of the Arthurian tale, been themselves the sources of countless other works as well. Lancelot, Guenevere, Merlin, Mordred, Gareth, Gallahad, and many others, to name only a few, are literary characters that have come from the Arthurian legend. With the numerous peripherals associated with the Arthurian tale, it is ironic that perhaps one of the least prominent and understood figures in Arthuriana is the king himself.