# How Uther Pendragon Made War on the Duke of Cornwall explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

> Chapter companion for Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory.

## What happens

King Uther Pendragon, with Merlin's help, disguises himself as the Duke of Cornwall to lie with the Duchess Igraine, begetting Arthur. The duke is slain in battle, and Uther later marries Igraine. The chapter also records the marriages of King Lot and King Nentres to Igraine's daughters, and Morgan le Fay's education in necromancy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Kingship and Governance

Uther's actions as king—waging war, arranging marriages, and securing his lineage—highlight the responsibilities and manipulations of medieval kingship.

### Fate and Tragedy

The death of the duke and the deceptive conception of Arthur set in motion a chain of events that will lead to future tragedy.

### Betrayal and Treachery

Uther's deception of Igraine, though orchestrated by Merlin, constitutes a betrayal of trust and marital bonds.

## Character check-ins

### Uther Pendragon

King Uther, with Merlin's aid, disguises himself to lie with Igraine and begets Arthur; later marries Igraine.

### Merlin

Arranges the deception, demands the child Arthur be delivered to him, and orchestrates the king's disguise.

### Igraine

Duchess of Cornwall, unknowingly lies with Uther in disguise, conceives Arthur, and later becomes queen.

### Sir Ulfius

Messenger who finds Merlin and later helps negotiate the marriage between Uther and Igraine.

### King Lot of Lothian

Marries Margawse, Gawaine's mother, at King Uther's request.

### Morgan le Fay

Igraine's third daughter, sent to a nunnery where she learns necromancy; later wedded to King Uriens.

## Key lines

> Sir, said Merlin, this is my desire: the first night that ye shall lie by Igraine ye shall get a child on her, and when that is born, that it shall be delivered to me for to nourish there as I will have it; for it shall be your worship, and the child's avail, as mickle as the child is worth.

Merlin demands that the child conceived that night be handed over to him to raise, promising it will bring honor to the king and benefit the child.

_Merlin sets the terms for Arthur's birth and upbringing._

> But the lady when she heard tell of the duke her husband, and by all record he was dead or ever King Uther came to her, then she marvelled who that might be that lay with her in likeness of her lord; so she mourned privily and held her peace.

Upon learning her husband died before Uther arrived, Igraine realizes she was deceived, but she grieves in secret and says nothing.

_Igraine's silent grief underscores the deception and her powerlessness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters