Merlin is the most famous sorcerer in history; until now, there is no certainty that he was a real character, as he seems to be mentioned in both literary texts and historical works.
However, there is more certainty about Merlin’s existence than that of King Arthur, according to the researchers, whether it existed or not, the truth is that countless legends have been created around him.
- It also prevents a faithful reconstruction of its history.
- In short.
- He is a fabulous character.
- Shrouded in an air of imagination and mystery.
- Which runs through much of the history and myths of medieval England.
“People would do anything to pretend that magic doesn’t exist, even when it’s right under their noses. “- JK Rowling–
Historically, Lailoken, a poet living in the south of Scotland, introduced the name Merlin into British tradition.
The other source from which this character emerges is Gildas, the sage, who recounted the actions of Ambrose Aureliano. The latter could be the famous King Arthur. Gildas associated him with the figure of Merlin.
Most legends about Merlin point out that he was a being of evil origin, who came into the world to do evil, yet when he grew up he used all his powers wisely and thus became a wise man and counselor to the monarchs.
In some texts Merlin is said to be the son of a demon, or an evil spirit impregnating a nun, other versions indicate that the magician’s mother was a forest witch or a woman who designed it without contact with any man.
According to the few historical data available, the most accepted version indicates that Merlin’s name was Myrddin Emrys, illegitimate son of one of the kings of Brittany, precisely Ambrose Aureliano, who would go down in history as the famous King Arthur.
None of this data could be confirmed
The story of King Arthur, a character as enigmatic as Merlin, is inseparable from that of the magician, it is said that it was only thanks to the advice of this famous sorcerer who was able to rule with wisdom and integrity.
It all started when the king of Brittany fell madly in love with a married woman. Taking advantage of the fact that her husband was in battle, Merlin made the king look like the absent husband and spend the night with his wife.
The husband eventually died and the wife married the king, however, he had promised Merlin that he would give him the son born of this union: Arthur, that’s what he did.
Still very young, also with the help of the magician, Arthur managed to remove the famous Excalibur sword from the stone in which it was embedded, thus becoming the Great King. ]
He later founded Camelot and reigned with the help of the sorcerer, who accompanied and advised him in various situations.
Classical legend points out that Merlin fell in love with a young woman when she was older, so he insisted on teaching her all the secrets of her magic in exchange for her becoming her lover.
He built a palace on a lake and called it Lady of the Lake. Over time, she began to fear him, because she knew his evil origin.
Merlin himself taught him how to imprison a man. Then the Lady of the Lake locked him in a glass cage, she could come and go, but he didn’t, she says she stayed there forever and is still waiting for someone to release him.
There is another version of the story proposed by historian John Matthews, according to her, the legend of Merlin is inspired by a warrior named Myrddin, who lived in Scotland and was the leader of the Pictish tribe.
In 573 he bravely faced the invasion of Ireland in a bloody battle, in which he saw his entire family die.
After that, the warrior went mad and went to live like a hermit in the forest, had strange customs and that’s why he acquired the reputation of sorcerer, so they began to weave a series of legends around him.
According to this version, Merlin was a disgraced hero, whose story was distorted by the popular imagination.