Merlin

Merlin is a legendary wizard mentioned in literature as the tutor, mentor, and adviser of King Arthur.

Fast Facts:

Also known as Myrddin, Ambrosius Aurelianus and Merlyn
Birth and origin are a mystery
Earliest appearance around 1100
In some legends is attributed with Druidic qualities
Often associated with the Celtic Bard, Taliesin
Love affair with Nimue/Viviane trapped him in a crystal cave
One legend has him transporting standing stones of Stonehenge from Ireland to England
In Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Merlin is a charlatan and a villain

Background and Lore

Most experts believe that the character of Merlin emerged from the writings of Geoffrey of Monmouth, through his reinterpretation of the character Myrddin Wyllt, a legendary character from English myth who went mad from the horrors of war and fled to the forest. This character was also known as the Wild Man of the Woods and he could reportedly talk to animals. Geoffrey apparently reworked this character in his Historia Regnum Brittanie into an advisor and mentor to King Arthur. Later authors took the character of Merlin and gave him special powers, such as shapeshifting, and give him special knowledge concerning the quest for the Holy Grail.