The End of Arthur’s World

This flow traces the deaths, withdrawals, and succession decisions that end the Round Table era and leave its inheritance to survivors.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Final Field

Britain’s Last Great Battle Armies meet again Arthur and Mordred’s forces renew the conflict after the fragile agreement fails. The battle consumes the knights and followers who remain from the Round Table. The king is wounded Arthur kills Mordred, but the fatal exchange leaves the king near death. Victory no longer means the restoration of the kingdom.

Excalibur Returns to the Water

A King Gives Up His Sword Bedivere is commanded Arthur orders Sir Bedivere to cast Excalibur into the water. Bedivere hides it twice, reluctant to lose such a rich and powerful object. The hand appears When he finally obeys, a hand rises from the water, receives the sword, and disappears. The king’s authority passes into mystery rather than into another warrior’s keeping.

The King’s Departure

Avalon Remains Uncertain Queens receive Arthur Three queens meet the wounded king in a barge and take him away. Bedivere watches, unable to follow and unsure whether Arthur is alive or dead. A legend stays open Some believe Arthur will return, while others accept that he has died. The uncertainty turns a political ending into a continuing legend.

Constantine Inherits the Realm

A New King Takes Power A succession follows loss Constantine, son of Sir Cador, is chosen to reign after Arthur. His accession supplies a successor, but cannot restore the court’s former fellowship. A diminished inheritance The surviving knights are scattered, and Arthur’s kingdom has lost its central king and many of its defenders. Constantine inherits a realm defined by absence.

The Survivors Leave Britain

The Last Companions Disperse An ending for the old knights Sir Bors and other survivors travel to the Holy Land, fulfilling Launcelot’s wish that they serve beyond Britain. The remaining companions leave the world of Arthur’s court. The fellowship becomes memory The Round Table no longer gathers its knights. Its ideals survive as a story of courage, courtesy, love, sin, and the costs of discord.

During the battle near Salisbury after the truce breaks

Immediately after Arthur receives his mortal wound

After Arthur is carried to the shore

After Arthur’s departure and the burial of the queen

After Launcelot’s death and burial