Arthur was born in September 1486 to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York at Winchester.

After the years of factional fighting, now known as the Wars of the Roses, Henry VII felt the need to strengthen his claim to the throne. Arthur's name was chosen purposely to refer to the legendary British king. With the birth of a son, the dynasty was off to a good start. His mother Queen Elizabeth of York  went to Winchester for the birth. Winchester was the ancient capital of England and Henry VII's chroniclers associated it with the legendary Camelot of King Arthur and the knights of the round table. There is a round table on display at the Great Hall at Winchester Castle We know from tests it was constructed in the 14th Century, and repainted in its present form for King Henry VIII (Arthur's brother), the table has for centuries been venerated by generations of tourists as the mysterious table of the 'Once and Future King' Arthur.

Arthur was made a Knight of the Bath at his christening. When he was three, he was made Prince of Wales and at the age of five, he was made a Knight of the Garter,

In 1488-9, Henry VII negotiated the preliminary treaty of Medina del Campo with Spain which included the proposal that Arthur would be married to the Infanta of Aragon, Catherine of Aragon . There was some delay in the arrival of Catherine in England. This was due to the instability caused by rival claimants to the throne. In 1496, further negotiations were conducted and it was agreed that his betrothed Catherine of Aragon   would come to England in 1500, when Arthur was 14. The execution of Perkin Warbeck   and the Earl of Warwick in 1499 stabilised the political situation. Catherine of Aragon did eventually arrive in October 1501. The marriage of Arthur and Catherine of Aragon finally took place 14th November 1501 in old St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Although Henry VII had a reputation for being frugal with his spending, this wedding was an occasion that he spared no expense.

After the wedding, Arthur and Catherine of Aragon went to Ludlow Castle on the border between England and Wales. It is said that the marriage was never consumated. Here they ruled as Prince and Princess of Wales.

On April 2, 1502, Arthur died, leaving Catherine of Aragon a young widow in a foreign country.