Merlin the Taliesen
Merlin has always been Matt's favorite character from the Arthurian legends. He was a powerful wizard in some tales and a singing Bard in others. He is sometimes credited with the construction of Stonehenge and with the crafting of the Round Table. In the "21 Lessons of Merlyn" by Douglas Monroe it teaches that Merlyn is actually a spirit that becomes one with Druids from time to time - similar to a possessive spirit, but in a good way. Monroe also describes how Merlyn is actually a title and not a single man. The most famous Merlyn based on this theory is the Taliesen, a well-known bard who wrote poetic songs - some of which are printed in Monroe's book. There are also a lot of theories and stories linking Merlin with Atlantis. Some believe that the Druid religion came from teh continent that sank beneath the waves. Merlin's reference to being the son of Satan comes from the legend that he was born of a mortal woman and a demon father.
Deike Rich & Ean Begg's fine book "On the Trail of Merlin" illustrates a more "historic" version of the legend. How the character first appeared in extant records (Armes Prydein, Y Gododdin) from the early 10th century as a mere prophet and advisor, active in all phases of the administartion of King Arthur's kingdom. He was apparently given the name Emrys (or Ambrosius) at his birth in Caer-Fyrddin (Carmarthen). He only later became known as Merlin, a Latinized version of the Welsh word, Myrddin, taken supposedly from the place of his birth. Geoffrey of Monmouth is thought to have invented this form since he did not want his character to be associated with the French word, merde, meaning "excrement".
Merlin's one Achilles heel was his love for Viviane (Nimue in the Lady Pendragon Stories). He loved her so deeply that he forsook his pledge of nondivulgence of secrets and taught her the mystical arts. She then repaid him by using his own magic to bind him in the center of a tree forever... or so one legend goes. Overall, Merlin is one of the greatest legendary characters of all time. Gandolf from Lord of the Rings and countless other characters have been inspired by the legend of Merlin.
Taken from Lady Pendragon Vol.3, #3
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