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Modred
Modred, son of Lot, king of Norway, and Anne, own sister of King Arthur). He is always called “the traitor.” While King Arthur was absent, warring with the Romans, Modred was left regent, but usurped the crown, and married his aunt, the queen. When Arthur heard thereof, he returned, and attacked the usurper, who fled to Winchester. The king followed him, and Modred drew up his army at Cambula, in Cornwall, where another battle was fought. In this engagement Modred was slain, and Arthur also received his death-wound. The queen, called Guanhumara (but better known as Guenevere), retired to a convent in the City of Legions, and entered the order of Julius the Martyr. History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Books 10, 11
This is so very different from the accounts given in Arthurian romance of Mordred, that it is better to give the two names as if they were different individuals.
Sir Modred, nephew of King Arthur. He hated Sir Lancelot, and sowed discord among the knights of the Round Table. Tennyson says that Modred “tampered with the lords of the White Horse,” the brood that Hengist left. Geoffrey of Monmouth says, he made a league with Cheldric, the Saxon leader in Germany, and promised to give him all that part of England which lies between the Humber and Scotland, together with all that Hengist and Horsa held in Kent, if he would aid him against King Arthur. Accordingly, Cheldric came over with 800 ships, filled “with pagan soldiers” (History of the Kings of Britain, Book 11).
When the king was in Brittany, whither he had gone to chastise Sir Lancelot for adultery with the queen, he left Sir Modred regent, and Sir Modred raised a revolt. The king returned, drew up his army against the traitor, and in this “great battle of the West” Modred was slain and Arthur received his death-wound. Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (“Guinevere”).
*** This version is in accordance neither with Geoffrey of Monmouth, nor with Arthurian romance (see Mordred), and is, therefore, given separately.
"While he was away on the Continent carrying on his struggle with Rome his nephew Modred usurped his crown and wedded his wife Guanhumara. Arthur, on this, returned, and after defeating the traitor at Winchester slew him in a last battle in Cornwall, where Arthur himself was sorely wounded (A.D. 542). The queen retired to a convent at Caerleon. Before his death Arthur conferred his kingdom on his kinsman Constantine, and was then carried off mysteriously to "the isle of Avalon" to be cured, and "the rest is silence."" Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race by Thomas Rolleston. Chapter VIII: Myths and Tales of the Cymry
"Many books have been written of their deeds; but a time came when almost all those knights were to fall, according to the legend, in one great battle. Modred, the king's nephew, had been left in charge of the kingdom during Arthur's absence, and had betrayed him and tried to dethrone him, meaning to crown himself king. Many people joined with him, saying that under Arthur they had had only war and fighting, but under Modred they would have peace and bliss. Yet nothing was farther from Modred's purpose than bliss or peace, and it was agreed at last that a great battle should be fought for the kingdom." Tales of the Enchanted Islands of the Atlantic By Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Chapter X
"A letter arrived from Lucius, Procurator of the Roman republic, demanding Arthur's submission. With Cador's encouragement, Arthur decided to fight Lucius, and gathered a huge army from all over his empire, while emperor Lucius gathered the kings of the orient. Leaving his nephew Modred and Queen Guenevere in Britain, he embarked for Gaul. At Mount St. Michael he slew a giant from Spain. Following this the armies of Arthur met those of the Roman emperor Lucius, and after a great slaughter on both sides, Arthur slew Lucius with his own hand. After attending to the dead, and beseiging the cities of the Allobroges during the following winter, Arthur was marching on Rome when he heard that his nephew Modred had married his wife Guenevere and seized the throne of Britain." Arthur, Cerdic, and the Formation of Wessex. John C. Rudmin
