Merlin

It’s a common misconception that Merlin was only a prominent figure throughout the Arthurian legends, however Merlin was around a long time before the birth of King Arthur. It is said that Merlin’s father was a servant of the devil and that when Merlin was born he was known as the devil’s spawn. If anybody knew the identity of Merlin’s mother, it has since been forgotten, all we know today is that she was a mortal nun. However, Merlin ignored his dark lineage and took on the work of God. Merlin, through his father gained numerous magically abilities such as telling prophecies and using spells, he used these gifts for many good causes.

 

Throughout history he has been given many titles, these include;

• Druid

• Wizard

• Warlock

• Wild Man of the Woods

• Prophet and

• Advisor

 

Around the beginning fifth century AD King Vortigern of Britain

had lost most of his territory to the Saxon invaders, he retreated

into Wales and decided to build a stronghold there. However each

time the King’s built foundations they would crumble, his

advisors informed him to sacrifice a boy with no father and mix his

blood with the foundations to ensure that they wouldn’t crumble.

Merlin, who was known to have no known father was chosen to

sacrificed. Merlin was brought before the King who explained the

situation, Merlin shook his head and informed the King that the

reason his foundations kept falling was that there were two

Dragons trapped under the ground, one white and one red, that

constantly fought one another. The King, of course didn’t believe

Merlin, however later that day the dragons escaped the confines of

their cave and fought in the sky. Merlin was brought before the

King once again and he gave the King many prophesies and

correctly states past secrets. King Vortigern decided to take in

Merlin and Merlin soon became the King’s closest advisor.

 

Many years later, King Vortigern died at war, Aurelius Ambrosius succeeded him and Merlin continued to advise the King of Britain. It is rumoured that Merlin was the one who advised King Aurelius to set the giant stone ring (Stonehenge) of bluestones from Ireland. merlin continued his friendship with the King of Britain (King Aurelius) as he fought the Saxons along with his brother Uther. Merlin prophesied that King Aurelius would die before he returned home from the war with the Saxons. On one night Merlin was watching a comet as he felt that Aurelius had died, he quickly notified Uther (Aurelius’s brother) that he was now King. Merlin, who had become known as the great advisor and prophet of the Kings of Britain stayed by Uther’s side. Through Merlin’s deception and magic King Uther was able to take the appearance of Duke Gorlois, the husband of Uther’s lover. That night the King slept with, Gorlois’ wife, Igraine, and Arthur was conceived. Merlin had prophesied that troubled times were ahead and that war was coming, he urged the King to send Arthur away and let him be brought up in secret. The King agreed, Merlin was given the responsibility of taking care of Arthur. He sent baby Arthur to the country to be brought up by Sir Ector. Merlin was surprised by Uther’s untimely death, he knew that Arthur was next in line to be King, however Arthur was just a baby.