Lost tale of Merlin and King Arthur legend deciphered from hidden manuscript

The fragment was sewn inside another book.

An intriguing sequel to the tale of Merlin has sat unseen within the bindings of an Elizabethan deeds register for nearly 400 years. Researchers have finally been able to reveal it with cutting-edge techniques.

It is the only surviving fragment of a lost medieval manuscript telling the tale of Merlin and the early heroic years of King Arthur's court.

In it, the magician becomes a blind harpist who later vanishes into thin air. He will then reappear as a balding child who issues edicts to King Arthur wearing no underwear.

The shape-shifting Merlin - whose powers apparently stem from being the son of a woman impregnated by the devil - asks to bear Arthur's standard (a flag bearing his coat of arms) on the battlefield. The king agrees - a good decision it turns out - for Merlin is destined to turn up with a handy secret weapon: a magic, fire-breathing dragon...<<<Read More>>>...

The Legend That Is Glastonbury

[Glastonberry Grove]: Glastonbury is famous for being one of the most mystical sites in the world. It has connections with King Arthur (the Arthurian legend), Joseph of Arimathea, Glastonbury Tor, The Abbey, the Glastonbury Giants or Zodiac, the intersection of Ley Lines and Earth Energy Lines. Glastonbury is also believed to be the mythical place known in Arthurian Lore as 'The Isle of Avalon'.

The ancient Celtic name for the Tor was Ynys Witrin, 'Island of Glass.' Another Celtic name was Caer Wydyr, 'Fort of Glass,' which is also the third name for the Celtic Otherworld. Surrounded mostly by water, a defensive wall known as Ponter's Ball was erected to the East and protected Glastonbury from the mainland. A bridge, known as the Pomparles or as Perilous Bridge, was the only dry access point to the south. Pomparles is thought to be the place where Bedwyr, from the Arthurian legend, returned the sword Excalibur to the Lady Of The Lake after the Battle of Camlann.

The word 'tor' means a hill or rocky peak. Atop the Tor stands a tower, the remains of a church. The tower's true purpose as either part of a church or of a fortification is not known but in the Middle Ages most of the structure, except the tower, was destroyed by an earthquake and landslide in 1275CE. For the Celtics, the Tor was believed to be the entrance to Annwfn, the Celtic Otherworld, and to the Palace of Gwynn ap Nudd, Afallach's brother and the main Otherworld Celtic god. Celtic legends claim the hill itself is/was hollow and that it was the entrance to the Celtic Underworld.

Both the names Avalon and Afallach refer to apples, apples that once grew in Glastonbury. Being a Otherworld sacred site, Glastonbury would be the site where a Celtic king would be sent when near or at death. Such was the case of King Arthur when he was sent to Avalon after his final battle.

This hill rises 522 feet above sea level, dominates the Glastonbury landscape, and is visible for miles in the surrounding countryside. Before the marshes were drained, this hill gave the appearance of an island and perhaps gave birth to the myth of the Isle of Avalon. The hill is the oldest and most involved location on the site. Long before the construction of the chapel that sits atop, the mound of Earth, a natural feature, was once a fortress with a wooden wall surrounding the hill at the bottom. The mound has been carved with a trail that winds around and up to the top. The trail is very old and is believed to have been first carved by Druids for this ancient site of worship. Some investigators believe the trail was carved by the Knights Templar as a marker for this site to link it with the Holy Grail.

From both ancient and current times, the Tor has also been a sanctuary of Goddess worship. Goddess worship can be found in the Celtic and Arthurian legends; the Lady Vivien, a Celtic water goddess and also known as the Lady Of The Lake.

As a sacred territory, a federal assembly of twelve tribes upheld the local law. Known as the Twelve Hides of Glaston, divine law was administered by priestly rulers. King Arviragus, a pagan ruler in 63CE, was the first to grant Twelve Hides, or 120 acres of land, upon twelve early christian missionaries led by Joseph of Arimathea. Though no record exists it is believed that granting of the Twelve Hides was a tradition from an earlier time when Glastonbury was a Druid sanctuary. No authority outside the Twelve Hides could administer in Glastonbury. Interestingly, the rights of the Twelve Hides were recognized by later Saxon and Norman kings. Each new successive king solidified the rights of the Twelve Hides which binded the successor to recognize their authority...read more>>>...

Chough - Totem Bird of the Month

In Cornish legend the Chough is known as the 'Crow of Cornwall'. Legend has it that the soul of King Arthur departed this world in the form of a chough, its red feet and bill signifying Arthur's violent and bloody end.

Chough means 'digger' and the symbolism of the Chough is therefore the ability to dig away the soil and the moss that conceals any truth, to delve into what truly lies beneath. An apt Totem for the first month of 2018

The Lady Of The Lake

This mysterious female gave Arthur his sword, Excalibur. She stole Lancelot when he was a child and cured him when he went mad. She may be a Celtic lake divinity in origin, perhaps of the same kind as the Gwagged Annwn - lake fairies in modern Welsh folklore. In Ulrich, the fairy who raised Lancelot is the mother of Mabuz. As Mabuz is probably identical with the Celtic god Mabon, it would seem that the fairy must be Morgan Le Fay who was, earlier, Mabon's mother. Matrona. A lady of the lake, perhaps a different one, was killed by Balin.

Vivien may very well have been the Lady of the Lake in the Arthurian Legends and stories. Vivien, sometimes called Nineve, Nimue, Niniane, etc., is best known as the woman who sealed Merlin in a cave or a tree. Despite foreseeing his fate, Merlin was unable to prevent being captivated and captured by the woman Richard Wilbur has called "a creature to bewitch a sorcerer." Vivien is an ambiguous character. In Malory, for example, even though Nyneve, who is one of the Ladies of the Lake, deprives Arthur of Merlin's service, she rescues him twice, first by saving him from Accolon who has been given Excalibur by Morgan le Fay to use against Arthur, and then by preventing him from donning the destructive cloak sent to him by Morgan. She also uses her enchantments to punish Ettarde for her mistreatment of Pelleas. In the end she and Pelleas "lovede togedyrs duryng their lyfe." (King Arthurs Knights)

King Arthur's Round Table 'found' - except it's not a table, but a Roman amphitheatre in Chester

His is among the most enduring ­legends in our island’s history. King Arthur, the gallant warrior who gathered his knights around the Round Table at Camelot and rallied Christian Britons against the invading pagan Saxons, has always been an enigma. But now historians believe they have uncovered the precise location of Arthur’s stronghold, finally solving the riddle of whether the Round Table really existed. And far from pinpointing a piece of furniture, they claim the ‘table’ was in fact the circular space inside a former Roman amphitheatre. The experts believe that Camelot could in fact have been Chester Amphitheatre, a huge stone-and-wood structure capable of holding up to 10,000 people. They say that Arthur would have reinforced the building’s 40ft walls to create an imposing and well fortified base.The king’s regional noblemen would have sat in the central arena’s front row, with lower-ranked subjects in the outer stone benches. Arthur has been the subject of much historical debate, but many scholars believe him to have been a 5th or 6th Century leader. The legend links him to 12 major battles fought over 40 years from the Scottish Borders to the West Country. One of the principal victories was said to have been at Chester.Rather than create a purpose-built Camelot, historian Chris Gidlow says Arthur would have logically chosen a structure left by the Romans. ‘The first accounts of the Round Table show that it was nothing like a dining table but was a venue for upwards of 1,000 people at a time,’ he said. (Daily Mail)

The Lady of the Lake

This mysterious female gave Arthur his sword, Excalibur. She stole Lancelot when he was a child and cured him when he went mad. She may be a Celtic lake divinity in origin, perhaps of the same kind as the Gwagged Annwn - lake fairies in modern Welsh folklore. In Ulrich, the fairy who raised Lancelot is the mother of Mabuz. As Mabuz is probably identical with the Celtic god Mabon, it would seem that the fairy must be Morgan Le Fay who was, earlier, Mabon's mother. Matrona. A lady of the lake, perhaps a different one, was killed by Balin.

Vivien may very well have been the Lady of the Lake in the Arthurian Legends and stories. Vivien, sometimes called Nineve, Nimue, Niniane, etc., is best known as the woman who sealed Merlin in a cave or a tree. Despite foreseeing his fate, Merlin was unable to prevent being captivated and captured by the woman Richard Wilbur has called "a creature to bewitch a sorcerer." Vivien is an ambiguous character. In Malory, for example, even though Nyneve, who is one of the Ladies of the Lake, deprives Arthur of Merlin's service, she rescues him twice, first by saving him from Accolon who has been given Excalibur by Morgan le Fay to use against Arthur, and then by preventing him from donning the destructive cloak sent to him by Morgan. She also uses her enchantments to punish Ettarde for her mistreatment of Pelleas. In the end she and Pelleas "lovede togedyrs duryng their lyfe." (King Arthurs Knights)

Lady Of The Lake

This mysterious female gave King Arthur his sword, Excalibur. She stole Lancelot when he was a child and cured him when he went mad. She may be a Celtic lake divinity in origin, perhaps of the same kind as the Gwagged Annwn - lake fairies in modern Welsh folklore.

In Ulrich, the fairy who raised Lancelot is the mother of Mabuz. As Mabuz is probably identical with the Celtic god Mabon, it would seem that the fairy must be Morgan Le Fay who was, earlier, Mabon's mother. Matrona. A lady of the lake, perhaps a different one, was killed by Balin.

Vivien may very well have been the Lady of the Lake in the Arthurian Legends and stories. Vivien, sometimes called Nineve, Nimue, Niniane, etc., is best known as the woman who sealed Merlin in a cave or a tree. Despite foreseeing his fate, Merlin was unable to prevent being captivated and captured by the woman Richard Wilbur has called "a creature to bewitch a sorcerer." Vivien is an ambiguous character. In Malory, for example, even though Nyneve, who is one of the Ladies of the Lake, deprives Arthur of Merlin's service, she rescues him twice, first by saving him from Accolon who has been given Excalibur by Morgan le Fay to use against Arthur, and then by preventing him from donning the destructive cloak sent to him by Morgan. She also uses her enchantments to punish Ettarde for her mistreatment of Pelleas. In the end she and Pelleas "lovede togedyrs duryng their lyfe."(King Arthurs Knights.com)

Sir Yvain (Owain)

Yvain (Ywain or Owain) was the son of King Urien. Yvain was known in Welsh legend as Owain.

Most of the early legend, does not give Yvain's mother's name, but some later legends say that Yvain's mother was Morgan le Fay, the half-sister of King Arthur and wife of Urien (such as in the Suite du Merlin (Post-Vulgate) and in Le Morte d'Arthur). According to Vulgate Merlin, Yvain's mother is Brimesent.

According to the Welsh Triads, Urien Rheged was married to the goddess Modron, the daughter of the god Avallach. The legend has it that Modron was the mother of Owain (Yvain). Owain also had a sister, named Morvudd. In the Lady of the Fountain (Mabinogion), his father was Urien, but his mother wasn't mentioned. His grandfather was Kynverchin or Kynvarch, and he was first cousin of Gwalchmei (Gawain).

He was known as Yvain the Valiant or Yvain the Great. There were several characters that were named Yvain. Yvain also had a brother of the same name, but this Yvain was usually known as Yvain the Bastard. In the Vulgate Lancelot, there are other Yvains, including Yvain of Lionel, Yvain of the White Hands, Yvain of Cenel (or of Rivel), and Yvain the Deer.

Yvain was the hero of the same story told by the Welsh, French and English authors. The Welsh title was called the Lady of the Fountain, where the hero was Owain or Owein, the son of Uryen Rhegd (Urien). Chretien de Troyes wrote the French version, called Knight of the Lion or Yvain (c. 1170). While the English version was called Ywain and Gawain (c. 1350).

Yvain killed the knight of the fountain (known as Esclados the Red in Knight of the Lion and as the Black Knight in Mabinogion), but was trapped in his opponent's castle. Lunete (Luned), a companion to the Lady of the Fountain (Laudine?), helped Yvain to escape, as well as helping the hero to woo and marry the countess. See Yvain and the Lady of the Fountain for the full story.

When he attended tournament, he overstayed at King Arthur's court, causing a separation between he and his wife. A separation that caused Yvain to lose his wits, until he was cured of the madness by a lady.

Yvain won a strange companion when he rescued a lion, and killed a dragon. Yvain went on a series of adventure when he helped one lady after another. With the help of the lion, Yvain killed the giant Harpin of the Mountain (Harpin de la Montagne).

One of the women he rescued was Lunete. Lunete had lost favour with the Lady of the Fountain, and the lady's jealous seneschal plotted to have her executed. Yvain defeated the seneschal and his brother through trial by combat.

Lunete, in the end, helped Yvain to reconciled with his wife Laudine. Yvain was said to be the father of Idrus, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth.

According to Geoffrey, Yvain became king of Albany (Scotland), when his uncle Auguselus was killed fighting Mordred's army at the landing of Richborough. Geoffrey does not mention if Yvain died in the battle of Camlann or not.

According to the Vulgate Cycle, Yvain led the first battalion in the battle of Salisbury Plain (Camlann), and killed many Saxons. Yvain rescued Arthur from the King of Northumbria, whom he killed. Yvain helped Arthur to remount, only to be struck down by Mordred.

When Yvain found out about his mother's plot to murder his father, he rescued his sleeping father, before Morgan could strike a blow with her father's sword. Instead of having his mother arrested or killed, Yvain allowed her to escape, provided Morgan never attempt to murder her husband.

When Arthur revealed to the court of his sister's plots against him, he also suspected his nephew (Yvain). Since he could not trust Yvain, Arthur banished him from attending his court. Through Gawain's love for his cousin, he left Arthur's court, and accompanied Yvain in their adventure, where they met Marhaus (Morholt), brother-in-law of the King of Ireland.

Tintagel

It was long assumed that Geoffrey of Monmouth (writing around 1135) selected Tintagel as the birthplace of Arthur to suit his own needs as a writer, or perhaps for some political reason. The remains of the castle on the island, though romantically associated with Arthur, are in fact 12th and 13th century ruins. Excavations did discover evidence of a Dark Age presence on the island, but for many years this was considered to be a monastery rather than a hillfort or stronghold. Until very recently, this theory persisted, and the island's association with Arthur was treated as fictional.

The discovery of large quantities of pottery and glass at Tintagel began to alter the official viewpoint. The finds were varied in style and purpose. There were oil and wine jars, plates and glass bottles from Spain, North Africa, Greece and the Middle East. The finds were dated to the approximate time period during which Arthur was believed to have been alive, and it quickly became apparent that Tintagel had not been simply a monastery. Major trade had taken place with several Mediterranean nations. Furthermore, Tintagel was so important that a defensive wall was built across the narrow passage which joins the island to the mainland.

The remains of over 150 buildings were discovered after a fire in 1983, and established the view that Tintagel, or Din Tagell, was a royal 5th and 6th century stronghold. Archaeology had come to the rescue of the legend, and the possibility of an Arthurian connection re-established itself with the benefits of physical evidence.

In 1998, a remarkable discovery took place on Tintagel during new excavations. A piece of 6th century slate was found with a carved Latin inscription, PATER COLIAVIFICIT ARTOGNOU. The inscription is incomplete, but in translation it is believed to say Artognou, father of a descendant of Col, has made this. Artognou may have been pronounced Arthnou, and may have meant bear. This 'Arthur Stone' is now officially an English national treasure, and it may be the only surviving relic of Arthur Pendragon's reign. It does not provide conclusive evidence that Arthur existed, nor does it confirm that Tintagel was an Arthurian stronghold, but it may be the evidence that draws history and folklore a little closer. It is ironic that in the quest for proof of Arthur's existence, the single piece of evidence draws us deeper into the mystery of the legends.

Arawn Lord of Annwfn

Arawn was the Lord of Annwfn (Otherworld) in the First Branch of the Mabinogi – Pwyll Lord of Dyved (Mabinogion). Arawn befriended Pwyll when they encountered one another in the woods. Arawn offered Pwyll to take his place as Lord of Annwfn for one year and a day. Pwyll would be transformed to look like Arawn, so that Pwyll could fight Havgtan (Hafgan) in his place. Havgtan was also a Lord of Annwfn and Arawn's archenemy. Havgtan could only be killed in one blow, for the second blow would magically heal Havgtan. So Pwyll mortally wounded Havgtan and refused to strike another blow, so Arawn's enemy died.

Arawn had a beautiful wife, who was unnamed. While Pwyll was pretending to be her lord and husband, Pwyll did not take advance of it, making love to Arawn's wife. Arawn was surprised that Pwyll would protect his wife's chastity, that they became friends and allies. Arawn richly rewarded Pwyll for both deeds. It is believed that Arawn had sent Rhiannon to become Pwyll's wife.

Arawn had also given pigs to Pryderi, Pwyll's son, when Pryderi became Lord of Dyved. These pigs were stolen by Gwydyon (Gwydion), in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi – Math Son of Mathonwy. This led to a war between Dyved and Gwynedd, where Pryderi was killed in single combat against Gwydyon, the nephew of King Math of Gwynedd.

Arawn was also said to possess the magic cauldron, which Arthur tried to steal in the obscure poem in the Book of Taliesin, called Spoils of Annwfn (Preiddiau Annwfn).

A story from the Arthurian myths tells how the Pendragon entered Annwn to steal a magick cauldron belonging to Arawn. The quest was a perilous one, and Arthur lost most of his company during the expedition. However, the purpose was an honest one, for the cauldron had life-giving properties and was used to restore the injured King Pellam and his lands. This is the origin of the Grail story.

Restoring the barren lands was an act of worship and healing to the Goddess. Arawn evidently harboured no ill will against Arthur for the trespass, for the Pendragon's entry into Annwn after Camlann met no hindrance. These tales tell us much about Arawn and his people, and it is clear that the ælves believe that kindnesses must be repaid and injustices remedied.

By clothing himself in grey robes, Arawn reminds us that people and things are not always what they seem. Greatness is not measured by material possessions, nor is it the ability to wield one's power. Arawn shows understanding and compassion, and this makes him a great leader. This is not to say he allows injustices to pass by; he does not. The realm of the ælves is all about actions and consequences.

Arawn shows us the importance of acknowledging his realm and its inhabitants, for to fail to do so denies us the opportunity to form rewarding friendships that transcend the boundaries between our worlds. Incurring the wrath of the faeries can have severe consequences, as shown in the Arthurian tales. Yet avoiding their displeasure is not difficult, and Arawn reveals the moral nobility by which we should live.

Camelot!

A town named Camelot was first introduced into the Arthurian legend by the late 12th century French poet Chrétien De Troyes in his tale of Lancelot.

However, it is mentioned but briefly and its status within the Kingdom of Britain is certainly never established. It was writers of the following century who declared it to be the chief residence of the High-King Arthur and embroidered the elaborate portrayal that we recognise today.

Excalibur

The Name "Excalibur" was first used for King Arthur's sword by the French Romancers. It was not the famous "Sword in the Stone" (which broke in battle), but a second sword acquired by the King through the intercession of his druidic advisor, Myrddin (Merlin). Worried that Arthur would fall in battle, Merlin took the King to a magical lake where a mysterious hand thrust itself up from the water, holding aloft a magnificent sword. It was the Lady of the Lake offering Arthur a magic unbreakable blade, fashioned by an Avalonian elf smith, along with a scabbard which would protect him as long as he wore it.

Towards the end of his reign, during the troubled times of Medrod's rebellion, Excalibur was stolen by Arthur's wicked half-sister, Morgan le Fay. Though it was recovered, the scabbard was lost forever. Thus Arthur was mortally wounded at the Battle of Camlann. The King then instructed Bedwyr (or Girflet) to return Excalibur to the lake from whence it came. However, when questioned about the circumstances of its return, Bedwyr claimed to have seen nothing unusual. Arthur therefore knew that Bedwyr had kept Excalibur for himself and sent him back to the Lake once more. Hurling the sword into the misty waters this time, Bedwyr saw the mystic hand appear to catch Excalibur and draw it beneath the rippling waters for the last time.

The earliest Arthurian stories give the name of King Arthur's sword as Caladfwlch, a Welsh word derived from Calad-Bolg meaning "Hard Lightning". Later it developed to become the Caliburn of Geoffrey and Monmouth and finally the Frenchified Excalibur that we know today.

Legendary figures throughout the World are associated with magical swords, often the symbol of their Kingship. It is interesting to note that Curtana, a 17th century successor of the original sword of Ogier the Dane, is still used at the British Coronation to this day. King Arthur's tale has particular similarities to the Norse Legend of Sigurd, but even closer parallels can be drawn with the Irish hero, Cú Chulainn who also bore a sword named Caladbolg. Such swords were usually said to have been forged by an elfan smith. In Saxon mythology his name is Wayland, but to the Celts he was Gofannon. He is also to be identified with the Roman Vulcan and Greek Hephaestus who made magical weapons for the Muses to give to Perseus, and for Thetis to give to Achilles. The later surrender of the sword is well known as a universal symbol of defeat. Here it is emblematic of death itself.

The deposition of swords, weaponry and other valuables in sacred lakes and rivers was a popular practice amongst the Celtic peoples. Strabo records such rituals near Toulouse and notes that other sacred lakes existed throughout Europe. Gregory of Tours alludes to a three-day festival of deposition at Lake Gévaudan in the Cevennes. Some scholars believe that such rituals were part of Celtic funerary rites. Archaeolgical finds of exotic metalwork deposits at Llyn Fawr in Morgannwg include axes and sickles of around 600 bc. Further weaponry was discovered Llyn Cerrig Bach on Ynys Mon (Anglesey) dating from the 2nd century bc to the 1st century AD. Celtic Iron-Age deposits in rivers are too numerous to count. Especially well known are the superb Battersea Shield and Waterloo Helmet from the Thames. This major British River appears to have been particularly popular for swords like Arthur's. (Early British Kingdoms)

Sir Percivale

The earliest works telling Sir Percivale's story show that his real name was Peredyr. Hence his identification with Peredyr Arueu Dur (Steel Arms), the historic King of Ebrauc (York) who lived about a hundred years after the great King Arthur. His father - whether the literary King Pellinore or the historic King Eliffer of Ebrauc - was killed when Sir Percivale was still young. He and his twin-brother, Gurgi, were therefore raised in the woods by their mother who wanted them to know nothing of knighthood; but, having seen some of High-King Arthur’s knights, Percivale determined to go to the Royal Court at Caer-Ligualid (Carlisle) and become one. His mother told him to demand either a kiss or a jewel from any ladies he met. So, when Percivale came upon a girl asleep in a tent, he kissed her and purloined her ring.

On arrival at King Arthur's court, he discovered that the Red Knight had insulted Queen Guinevere by throwing wine over her and departing post haste. So Percivale pursued and killed him. He later stayed with an old knight named Gornemant de Goort who taught him chivalry and knighted him. Leaving his tutor, he came to the castle belonging to Lady Blanchefleur which was under siege by King Clamadeus. So he defeated Clamadeus in single combat and became Blanchefleur's lover. On the way to see his mother, a fisherman directed Percivale to his old family castle at Listinoise (which means “Castle in the North”) where he beheld an old man - Pelles, the Fisher King - on a couch and was given a fine sword. The Holy Grail was paraded before him, but Percivale did not ask what the Grail was or whom it served. When he awoke the next morning, he found his sword broken and the castle deserted. He only just escaped it alive. Percivale then encountered his cousin who informed him that he should have asked more questions and told him to take the sword to its original forger.

On his journey, he overcame the husband of the girl whom he had kissed earlier in the tent, who had not understood that Percivale had acted innocently. After five years of wanderings, he finally returned to Listinoise and asked his questions. He discovered that the Fisher King was wounded by fragments of a sword which had killed his brother. Though sustained by the Grail, his wounds would not heal until the murderer was brought to justice. Percivale killed the villain and the King recovered. It was then revealed that Percivale was the Fisher King’s nephew and when the he died, Percivale succeeded to his kingdom.