top of page

 

Historical Merlin

Considering that the history of the historical Merlin (Worth the redundancy) with that of FATE does not change so drastically, I decided to make a list with the untold details of the wizard in FATE or specific differences from one story to the other.

Details or differences

  • In Wales, his name is Myrddin Emrys, that name arises since his first description is an amalgam created by Geoffrey of Monmouth. This author combined previous stories and historical figures, stories of Myrddin Wyllt, a mad prophet from the North Breton without connection to King Arthur, and stories from the Roman-British war leader Ambrosius Aurelianus (Wales: Emrys Wledig)

  • His begetting as well as his death is what remains a mystery.

    • In the event of its begetting, it is said that it was conceived by a nun and a demon (King Asmodeo), others that she was the celibate daughter of a king of South Welsh, others that she was born to a mother without male intervention and finally that Merlin It was spawned by ancient magic.

    • In the event of his death it is said that Nimue / Vivían locked him in a glass prison, in other versions a rock or a tree or even a cave, from which Merlin could not leave and she could enter whenever she wanted. In this way he died locked up.

  • Vortigern almost sacrificed Merlin as he was not the son of a human father, for his advisers had told him that he must dump the blood of such a child in order to build a castle. When his mother handed him over, Merlin explained to Vortigern that below where he wanted to build there was a pool with 2 dragons or snakes, one red and one white, the red one being from Great Britain and the white one from the Saxons, that is, his first prophecy and also reason why his life was spared as well as his name became well known

  • According to different literary works, Merlin can talk to animals, become invisible, change shape, change the weather, and control the elements, although the latter was done with care not to anger nature. In the medieval novel Lancelot and Guinevere, It said the following about Merlin:

"He knew the essence of all things, their transformation and renewal, he knew the secret of the Sun and the Moon, the laws that govern the course of the stars in the sky; the magical images of clouds and air; the mysteries of the sea. He knew the demons that send dreams under the moon. He understood the harsh cry of the crow, the singing of swans, the resurrection of the phoenix. He could interpret the flight of crows, the course of fish and blind ideas of men, and predicted all the things that happened next. "

  • Merlin was said to have contacts with fairies, gnomes, and even dragons; He is considered the only man who earned the respect and admiration of these monsters, not only for their kindness and wisdom but for their artistic skills (he was a teacher of poetry and literature).

bottom of page