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What role does King Arthur play in The Faerie Queene?

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In Edmund Spenser's epic poem The Faerie Queene, King Arthur serves as the central hero of the work.1

Spenser designed the poem to feature 12 books, each focusing on a specific moral virtue exemplified by a knight from the court of Gloriana, the Faerie Queene. Arthur’s role was intended to be a unifying presence throughout the entire epic; he was to appear in every book while in pursuit of Gloriana’s love.1

Beyond his role as a recurring character, Arthur represents the virtue of "Magnificence," which Spenser defined as the perfection of all other virtues, effectively embodying the ideal "complete man". By placing Arthur at the center of this allegory, Spenser sought to fulfill his stated purpose for the poem: "to fashion a gentleman or noble person in virtuous and gentle discipline".1