Merlin The Magician Flashcards
How were Geoffrey of Monmouth’s works treated in the later medieval period?
People learnt to read and write from stories and they learnt from his stories
Less interest in the poem but still interest in the History of Kings
History of Kings maintained its status as the definitive history of Britain
Still interest in the mythology as long lost prophecies were found which predicted what had already happened, tomb of Arthur and Gwynevere was found, lead cross saying ‘Arthur. The one and future king’
Some challenges but nothing seemed to stick
Who challenged Geoffrey’s work and how?
Bede - Inconsistencies arose between the two works, differences were accepted as Geoffrey was translating where as Bede was writing from the perspective of an Englishman for and English audience
William of Newborough - contested these histories, worked out dates and compared them to Geoffrey’s work, wrote from William the Conqueror to Richard the Lionheart, said that Geoffrey had been fooled by Welsh lies, limited readership as the book was in Latin and expensive
What was the Tudors approach to Merlin?
Very interested in Merlin
Took Arthur as a figurehead
Favoured the Welsh name
Round table was found and displayed in Winchester Cathedral
What was the approach to Merlin in later time periods?
18th century - Less attention on Merlin but still around
Attention still on him right up to the present day
Describe the creation of the History of Kings book.
Taken seriously as it was presented as fact
Claimed to be a translation of recently discovered manuscripts
This history fitted the gap in knowledge of British history
Geoffrey made it to further his career but died shortly after its publication
More popular than the Vita Merlini - possibly more interested in a historical story than a fictional poem with science
What happened to Merlin in the History of Kings?
Helped Uther get with the Duke of Cornwall’s wife by disguising him
Helped with the creation of Stone Henge
What happens in Vita Merlini?
Witnesses death of his friends in war against the Scots
Runs away to the woods
His sister sends people to find him
Gets brought back and his sister tests his prophecy skills
Presents the boy in 3 different ways and different prophecies given (rock, tree, river)
Convinces his sister to build him a house (essentially and observatory)
Makes prophecies about Saxons and Normans
Talks about memories of Uther and Ambrosius - Ambrosius was poisoned so Uther took over
