MERLIN, of Arthurian legend is probably the widest
well-known wizard in lore. He was believed to be born
evil but quickly baptized to save his soul. He is of
Welsh descent....Myrddin, Latinized as Merlinus,
meaning 'dung'. Merlin is credited in most writing to
have concocted the contest that involved the sword in
the stone theory, with stipulations of whosoever could
pull the sword, Excalibur, from the stone...would be king.
Arthur, at this time a squire, pulled the sword
from the stone. Arthur then performed the 'task'
once again in public, becoming enthroned.
Merlin, infatuated with Viviane (in some writings, she is
Lady of the Lake), teaching her his magical secrets. In
time Viviane --aka. Nimue-- used her learned powers to
imprison her mentor, Merlin. His prison being the Ice
Castle, on a desolate island in the sea......
Other writings have Merlin as going mad, doing dastardly
deeds upon others, said to have been caused by Merlin's
visions in his dreams. In any case, his trickery and
performing magical feats makes him legendary.
source: Encyclopedia of Arthurian Legends
MORGAN le FEY is professed as King Aruthur's sister, well
actually, half-sister. But reading the Encyclopedia
of Arthurian Legends, there's notice of other authors
having Morgan le Fey a niece of Arthur, being
a daughter of Lot. She became a lady-in-waiting to
Guinevere and fell in love with Guiomar.
It is common fable tho, that Morgan was a sorcerer, a
witch, learning her magic from Merlin. In Malory, she
was one of the queens that bore Arthur off on a barge
after his final battle, perhaps to take him to Avalon.
Also in Malory, she is the child of Igraine's
first marriage.
Morgan le Fey is translated to "the fairy". Her name
may have changed from Modron to Morgan in Brittany
where belief of water fairies called Morgans existed.
source: Encyclopedia of Arthurian Legends
EXCALIBUR is the magical, mythical sword that was given
to Arthur by Lady of the Lake. Its scabbard kept the
bearer from losing blood in battles. In legend it either
disappeared or while Morgan le Fey was taking Arthur
to Avalon she returned it to the lake, and as she
threw it in the waters near Avalon, a hand (presumably
Viviane's) reached forth to once again possess the sword!
The Welsh name for Excalibur is Caladvwlch. With the
Irish version being Caladbolg (cala-hard and bolg-lightning).
source: Encyclopedia of Arthurian Legends
Artist John Duncan
"The Taking of Excalibur"
c. 1897
****FOR FURTHER READING AND RESEARCH****
The Idylls of the King
Alfred Lord Tennyson poem
King Arthur: A Man of the Ages
Mystic Realm of King Arthur
Arturius-A Quest for Camelot
A downloadable site of perhaps the REAL Arthur?
Camelon: Scottish Camelot
may be worth looking into
note: sometimes I've had trouble loading this page
Medieval Witchcraft Source
Genealgoy of Merlin
***Back to Lady Irene's sites***
Warrior Maiden's Pathway
Camelot Tour
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