Pendragon facts for kids
Pendragon is a special name, or "epithet," often linked to Uther, who was the father of the famous King Arthur. You'll find this name in many old stories and modern books about King Arthur. Sometimes, it was also used for real Welsh heroes long ago.
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What Does Pendragon Mean?
The name "Pendragon" comes from the Welsh language. It combines two Welsh words: "pen" and "draig."
- "Pen" means 'head,' 'chief,' or 'top.'
- "Draig" means 'dragon' or 'warrior.'
So, "Pendragon" literally means 'chief dragon' or 'head dragon.' But it's also used to mean 'chief leader,' 'top warrior,' or 'main commander.' It's like saying someone is the boss of all leaders.
Pendragon in Arthurian Stories
The name "Pendragon" is most famous because of its connection to the legends of King Arthur.
Uther Pendragon
In one of the very first books about King Arthur, called Historia Regum Britanniae, only Uther is called "Pendragon." The writer, Geoffrey of Monmouth, said it meant "dragon's head."
Ambrosius Pendragon
Later, in a story called Merlin by Robert de Boron, Uther had an older brother named Ambrosius. This story says Ambrosius was also called "Pendragon." After Ambrosius died, Uther changed his own name to "Uterpendragon."
Pendragon and King Arthur
For a long time, "Pendragon" was mostly used for Uther or his brother. But more recently, people started using it to refer to King Arthur himself.
Arthur's Title
One of the first times Arthur was called "Pendragon" was in a poem by Alfred Tennyson. In this poem, it was more of a title for Arthur, like "the chief war leader," rather than his family name. This idea came from people thinking "pendragon" was an old Welsh term for a war chief.
The Pendragon in Modern Books
- In C. S. Lewis's 1945 book That Hideous Strength, the "Pendragon" is a special leader who guides people through big moral struggles over many centuries. This title was held by different heroes, including Uther, Arthur, and others.
- Mark Twain made fun of the idea of a "Pendragon Dynasty" in his book A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. He was actually making fun of later British royal families.
- The story The Pendragon Legend by Antal Szerb is about a noble family in Wales called Pendragon.
