Arthurian Legend Merlin

“Arthur Becomes A King”

Early Arthur Literature Late 500 AD: Probably a military

chieftain in Britain Led British tribes against Saxon

invaders Saxons ultimately victorious, but

Britons cherished the image of Arthur

Early Arthur Literature c. 600 AD: Early literary reference

in a Welsh elegy c. 800 AD: Welsh priest Nennius

lists Arthur’s victories

Early Arthur Literature Cornish and Breton peoples shared

enthusiasm for Arthur Breton oral tradition spread tales

in French: Provence, Norman England, Asia Minor

Arthur eventually adopted by the Saxons as a hero

The Figure of Merlin First bard and prophet in Celtic

legendary history Magician and seër in Arthur’s

private circle Protector and counselor of young

King Arthur

The Figure of Merlin in Geoffrey of Monmouth

A “wonder child,” son of the “Golden Stranger” and a Welsh princess

Confounds King Vortigern’s magicians with a vision of fighting red (Briton) and white (Saxon) dragons which tear down a fortress under construction

The Figure of Merlin in Geoffrey of Monmouth

Utters prophecies predicting Arthur’s reign

Crazed warrior endowed with a prophetic gift

Flees to the Caledonian Forest = early figure of the Wild Man in the Woods

The Figure of Merlin in Geoffrey of Monmouth

Credited with moving stones from Ireland to form Stonehenge

Credited with the chicanery that resulted in Arthur’s conception

The Figure of Merlin in Robert de Boron

Gains anti-Christ(ian) attributes Agent of dark powers to counteract

Jesus Christ Father was an incubus who

conspired with demons

The Figure of Merlin in Malory Aged magician Creates Round Table for Uther Warns Arthur not to marry

Guinevere

The Figure of Merlin in Malory Becomes infatuated with Nimue Nimue uses his magic to entrap

him either in a cave or in an oak tree

“Arthur Becomes A King” Merlin gives Uther Gorlois’ likeness Arthur is conceived as Gorlois dies

in battle Uther later marries Igraine =

Arthur’s legitimacy?

“Arthur Becomes A King” Kingdom in jeopardy = son must

restore the garden Questions of birthright and identity

(Telemachus, Milkman)

“Arthur Becomes A King” Succession disputed by “ambitious

barons” Magical test of worthiness =

sword/stone New Year’s Day = king’s rebirth

“Arthur Becomes A King” Arthur’s parentage unknown to himself Feat repeated three times (Candlemas,

Easter, Pentecost) Candlemas = Feast of the Presentation

of Jesus at the Temple Pentecost = descent of Holy Spirit on

the Apostles

“Arthur Becomes A King” Question of parentage and

legitimacy = Christ figure Pressure of commoners finally

persuades nobles!

Further ResourcesSelect this link for excellent Arthurian resources

The Camelot Project at University of Rochester