Mordred betrayed Arthur due to a complex mix of incestuous origins, personal ambition for the throne, anger at perceived slights (especially after Arthur's affair with Morgause/Morgaine), and taking advantage of Arthur's absence to usurp power, fueled by his own deep-seated resentment and the desire to expose Camelot's internal weaknesses. Key triggers included his illegitimate birth as Arthur's son (or nephew) and seizing the chance to become king when Arthur left to fight Lancelot, declaring himself king and attempting to marry Guinevere.
One Welsh Triad, based on Geoffrey's Historia, provides an account of his betrayal of Arthur; in another, he is described as the author of one of the "Three Unrestrained Ravagings of the Isle of Britain" – he came to Arthur's court at Kelliwic in Cornwall, devoured all of the food and drink, and even dragged Gwenhwyfar ...
His ultimate betrayal came when he exposed Lancelot and Guinevere's affair, then attempted to seize Arthur's throne and marry Guinevere while Arthur was away. Mordred's significance lies in his role as the instrument of Camelot's downfall, bringing an end to Arthur's legendary reign.
Left in charge, Mordred counterfieted letters telling of Arthur's death in battle. He then called a parliament to name him king, had himself crowned at Canterbury, and tried to marry Guenevere, but she tricked him and barricaded herself in the Tower of London.
Kara was a druid girl who was Mordred's love interest in Series 5 episode, The Drawing of the Dark. She was executed by Arthur, which turned Mordred against Camelot.
In some versions, Arthur and Morgause remain ignorant of their blood relationship and Mordred is raised by Morgause and her husband along with her other children. In Le Morte d'Arthur and some other stories, Arthur learns the truth about Mordred and, horrified, attempts to have him killed.
Mordred has a similar issue where she hates being called a woman because it likely implies she's weak. Calling her male disregards who she is however.
But as early as the Huath Merlin and the prose Merlin (Vulgate version), it was implied that Mordred was his son by Arthur's half-sister, Morgawse. In the Suite du Merlin (a continuation of the Vulgate Merlin), Arthur had unwittingly slept with Morgawse, because he did not know that she was his half-sister.
However, Mordred's faith in Arthur and Camelot was shattered after the imprisonment and death of his beloved Kara. Believing that Arthur had betrayed him and metaphorically spat on their friendship, Mordred turned against the king and joined Morgana once more.
Then, revealing himself, Merlin prophesies that whereas Arthur will die a worshipful death, Merlin's death will be shameful — he will be sealed in the earth alive. A few days later a squire comes to the court with his dying master, wounded by Sir Pellanor.
Morgana Pendragon is the main antagonist of the BBC series, Merlin. She is the illegitimate daughter of Uther Pendragon and the half-sister of Arthur Pendragon and Morgause.
Saddest episodes
While Guinevere was locked in the Tower of London, King Arthur fought Mordred to regain his throne. Both King Arthur and Mordred died in their battle with each other. After King Arthur died, Guinevere joined a nunnery and stayed there until her death. She was buried next to King Arthur.
At the end of the battle, Mordred stabs Arthur with his sword, after which Arthur kills Mordred. While tending Arthur, Merlin tells him that he was the sorcerer in the battle. Arthur's only chance of survival is the powers of the Sidhe at the Lake of Avalon, so Merlin sets out to reach the lake.
In Geoffrey, Arthur passes his crown to his relative Constantine after being mortally wounded by the traitor Mordred in the Battle of Camlann. Geoffrey identifies Gildas' "royal youths" as Mordred's two sons, who, along with their Saxon allies, continue their father's insurrection after his death.
Merlin loves Arthur due to their intertwined destiny, where Merlin's magic exists to protect Arthur and guide him to become the great king he's fated to be, fostering a deep bond of friendship, loyalty, and profound care that evolves from obligation to genuine love, with some interpretations suggesting romantic love as well, especially given their willingness to sacrifice everything for each other.
Just to clarify for any readers in case there was any confusion, the three wives of Arthur in Welsh tradition were indeed named Guinevere (or rather, Gwenhwyfar), but the three mistresses had their own names.
In opposition to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Guinevere does not give in to Mordred and instead runs away from Camelot. Arthur hears of the betrayal and returns to defend his kingdom against the usurping Mordred, whom he eventually manages to kill though it takes his own life.
Mordred. Mordred was known to be Arthur's greatest enemy, sent to destroy him. His parents are Arthur's half-sister Morgause and Arthur himself.
“Lady” is used much more than “gentleman,” which is still perceived as outdated (1). This is a problem — it adds to damaging notions of femininity, where women are still meant to be, or are inherently, demure and gentle. When female adults are referred to as “ladies,” there's typically a patronizing attitude present.
Arthur is a masculine given name of uncertain etymology. Its popularity derives from it being the name of the legendary hero King Arthur.
Lancelot is named after Lancelot of the Lake, one of the Knights of the Round Table in Arthurian mythology where he typically figures as King Arthur's greatest companion and one of his greatest knights, and his parents were King Ban of Benoic and Queen Elaine.
They pointed out that it says in the Bible, "If a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing; they shall be childless." If Catherine's marriage to Arthur had actually been consummated, her marriage to Henry would have been a sin, justifying an annulment.
The nature of Courtly Love is the romance between a nobleman, often a knight errant among his peers, and a married noblewoman to whom the knight pledges his victories towards. Word for word Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere fit this narrative well.