Artur Hawkwing

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Artur Paendrag Tanreall, The High King who was more commonly known as Artur Hawkwing, is a historical character in the fictional universe of The Wheel of Time fantasy book series by Robert Jordan. Although he is long dead by the time the main books begin, he is remembered as a legendary hero who once united all of the lands west of the Spine of the World and even some of those beyond the Aiel Waste.

Hawkwing has been credited, after Rand al'Thor, as the most strongly ta'veren being in recorded history. It was said that those who stood in the same room as him would find themselves revealing truths they had never even thought of, and any game of chance played with him always went his way.

Initially the King of Shandalle, Hawkwing opposed the False Dragon Guaire Amalasan, proving to be a master tactician and warrior who could move his armies at great speed, thus earning the name Hawkwing. Upon Amalasan's defeat, Hawkwing used the vast army he now commanded to carve out his great nation. He maintained peace and security throughout his empire and dealt out harsh justice for any who disobeyed him, and was thus beloved by his people, who would pay for and build an enormous stone statue of the High King in the center of the continent, where he had proposed to build a capital city.

Corrupted by Ishamael, Hawkwing led a war against the Aes Sedai, besieging Tar Valon for many years and sending armies across the Aryth Ocean to almost certain death. Eventually, the High King was taken by a terrible illness and refused healing, instead using his final breath to curse the Aes Sedai who could have saved his life. After his death, his sons and nephews and any noble who could raise an army took part in what would be called the War of the Hundred Years, breaking Hawkwing's kingdom into the collection of states, like it had been before his rule.

His shattered statue was glimpsed in The Eye of the World, and he appears in The Great Hunt as a hero summoned by the Horn of Valere. His name seems to be a reference Arthur Pendragon of British legend. He is also quite similar to Alexander the Great who was famous for moving troops fast as well, and conquering vast areas in a rather short time. Another reference is that he, like Alexander, failed to produce an heir who could successfully take over the throne, thus dooming his empire as his generals fought each other.