Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur (15th Century): Malory's compilation draws heavily from the French Vulgate and is the most influential version for modern readers. Here, Mordred is unequivocally Arthur's incestuous son. He is portrayed as cunning, envious, and inherently evil, driven by a desire for the throne. He orchestrates the exposure of Lancelot and Guinevere, leading to the fracturing of the Round Table. When Arthur departs to fight Lancelot, Mordred seizes the throne. The final confrontation at the Battle of Camlann results in the deaths of almost all knights, and Arthur delivers a fatal blow to Mordred before succumbing to his own wounds.