The True History of Merlin the Magician (2024)

FAQs

Did Merlin have real magic? ›

The historical Merlin was no rough magician: he was a learned figure from the cutting edge of medieval science and adept in astrology, cosmology, prophecy, and natural magic, as well as being a seer and a proto-alchemist.

Mark Chorvinsky hypothesized that Merlin is based on a historical personage, probably a 5th and/or 6th-century druid living in southern Scotland.

While there's no concrete historical or scholarly evidence out there that proves Merlin the Magician's real existence, theories about who the mythologized character is and where he came from have circulated for years. Monmouth claimed that Merlin was based on a historical figure, with origins in Wales or Cornwall.

After having her magic seal spell reflected back by Chandler's Full Counter, it is revealed that her true form is that of a child. In this form, she is described as an adorable child by Chandler with long black hair reaching her mid-back.

The original work was written in a way that it could have taken place at the time it was written; the 11th century. The original works are as accurate as a modern day fiction could be. All iteration of the story since then likely romanticized life more and became less accurate, especially the TV show.

According to legend, Merlin was reputedly buried on the haugh on the east bank of the Tweed, north of Drumelzier Church. This legend appears to be at least as old as the twelfth century if not much earlier.

Merlin in the TV adaptation is black, which is strange for two reasons: First, Merlin is not black in the books. He is effectively a priest of a people that were almost entirely white, and an elder. I'm sure Nathaniel Martello-White is a fine actor, but he is also not old enough to play the Merlin from these books.

According to the legend, Merlin was born to a human mother and a demon father. He gained his magical powers from the demon. Some stories said that Merlin was evil. Others said that he was good, despite his demonic background.

Excalibur is a legendary sword, not a real one, despite the claims made by some who believe they have recovered the item and the sensationalist headlines designed to draw readers in with the promise of this fictional sword becoming real.

Most scholars regard it as being entirely fictional, its unspecified geography being perfect for chivalric romance writers. Nevertheless, arguments about the location of the "real Camelot" have occurred since the 15th century and continue today in popular works and for tourism purposes.

Did King Arthur exist? ›

“There is no evidence that anyone called Arthur lived there,” says Russell. “Nor is there any archaeological evidence to support the existence of Arthur as a real person.” Russell believes that Monmouth cobbled together various different ancient tales, characters, and episodes to create his now-beloved Arthur figure.