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On the Bookshelf

On the Bookshelf

Merlin, by Norma Lorre Goodrich

Norma Lorre Goodrich provides a wonderful analysis of the historical character Merlin through the fractured lens of time, legend, and mythology. She begins by introducing the various names of Merlin, including Myrddin Emrys and Merlin Sylvester. Merlin is seen as a character that changes his name according to his function, which explains why he was seen sometimes as an old beggar, a warrior, even a priest.

Probably the most interesting part of Goodrich's writing is that she aligns Myrddin Emrys, the true Merlin we know of who assisted Arthur, as Saint Dubricius. It was found that during the times Saint Dubricius was prominent in Arthurian history is when Merlin was absent, particularly Arthur's coronation. And when Merlin was most prominent in the Arthurian saga, Saint Dubricius is absent. Not only this, but the unique details of the birth and rearing of little Merlin are far too similar to that of Saint Dubricuis'.

One major point I must disagree with Goodrich on is her assertion that the druid class were annihilated by the Romans following the Roman conquest. This sort of propaganda is found amongst scholars hostile to Celtic culture. This is not to say that Goodrich is hostile to Celtic culture; there is much in Merlin that suggests otherwise. Her point on the druids is critical in her argument, as it suggests that Merlin was not a druid/bard, but rather a prophet in the hebrew tradition. Since I believe that the druid class was alive and well during Merlin's time, and that he was born into an ecclesiastical family, it is likely that his learning was from the druidic school, and that he himself was a druid. The fact that many druids had a tandem function in the Church would give likelihood that Merlin's duties were that of a contemporary druid.

I highly recommend this book for those who have a strong interest in Arthurian legend. However, I would recommend reading her book King Arthur first, because she alludes to things in Merlin that I did not fully understand--I can only assume she was referencing from her previous work about Arthur.

I am currently reading King Arthur at this time.

I am also reading A Brief History of The Druids, by Peter Berresford Ellis.

The title speaks for itself. Ellis is a wonderful writer, and he provides a strong scholarly work on the history of the druids. The druids were a vital part of the social structure of celtic society, and Ellis shows how they moved in critical parts of what we know of ancient Celtic history. He provides not only the pro-Celtic views, but also how the pro-Romans viewed the Celts. I highly recommend this reading for people who want to get the real scoop on what druids really are, and how the Celtic lifestyle was affected by their critical societal role.