Merlin and the Pendragon: King Arthur's "Draconarius" Author(s): LINDA A. MALCOR Source: Arthuriana, Vol. 10, No. 1, ESSAYS ON MERLIN (SPRING 2000), pp. 3-13 Published by: Scriptorium Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27869517 . Accessed: 09/06/2014 19:07 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. Scriptorium Press is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Arthuriana. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 130.212.18.200 on Mon, 9 Jun 2014 19:07:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions Merlin and the Pendragon: King Arthur's Draconarius LINDA A. MALCOR Merlin Some scholars have argued that exhibits druid-like characteristics, but themedieval traditionof Merlin as thebearer of Arthurs dragonhead casts in a standard the prophet-turned-wizard very warlike role. (LAM) FigureOne. Detail ofMerlin fromthe Vulgate Estoiredel Saint Graal/Merlin(MS Paris,Biblioth?que Nationale f. fr.95, fol. 327V);Drawn by Linda A. Malcor. one is of the best-known figures of Arthurian tradition, but are more Merlin modern readers generally familiarwith his various incarnations are in contemporary Arthurian novels than they with his original legends (see are two Fig. 1).There primary medieval traditions ofMerlin: that created by Geoffrey of Monmouth and that spawned by Robert de Boron through his to one or interpolations of Geoffreys tale.1Medieval authors tended follow two one the other of these main traditions, rarely combining both in story (Littleton and Malcor 1995, 88). accounts as a The earliest of Merlin figure associated with King Arthur were probably related in tenth-centuryWelsh poems (Tolstoy 1985, 21-86; was Barber 1961,49),2 but the full-blown story ofMerlin originally developed ca. by Geoffrey of Monmouth, 1135-1150 (Stewart 1987, 188). Geoffreys the rest of hisHistoria Britanniae Prophetiae Merlini (ca. 1135 ) predates Regum (ca. 1136; Stewart 1987, 188; cf. Kibler 1996, 320) with his Vita Merlini (ca. 1150) furtherdeveloping the legend of the prophet-magician ofArthurs court.3 Johnof Cornwall drew on Geoffreystext for his Prophecies of Merlin (1155), ARTHURIANA 10.1 <2000) 3 This content downloaded from 130.212.18.200 on Mon, 9 Jun 2014 19:07:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 4 ARTHURIANA seems to same and Geoffrey of Viterbo be doing the in hisMerlin (1200). The a verse Icelandic Merlm?sspd (ca. 1200)4 is translation of Geoffrey's Prophetiae Mer Uni. as verse Robert de Borons Joseph andMerlin (also known theOld French ca. Merlin, 1200) spawned the tradition ofMerlins association with theGrail and with the 'Sword in the Stone.'6 The Vulgate LEstoire deMerlin (ca. 1215) and Suite du Merlin (ca. 1272; also known as the Huth Merlin; part of the are to s Post-Vulgate Cycle) thought be prose redactions of Robert poem (Kibler 1996, 320). Between these two, Jacob van Maerlent wrote Boec vanMerline text on (ca. 1261), basing his Roberts work. La Estoria deMerlin (ca. 1380) content drew its from the Post-Vulgate Suite du Merlin. Arthour and Merlin (ca. 1395) and Henry Lovelich's Merlin (ca. 1410) also followed Robert. The as medieval tradition of Merlin created by Robert ended with Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur (1469), who took his tales of Arthur's tutor from the Huth Merlin rather than from theVulgate Merlin (Barber 1961, 118).7 as a or a cast Whether functioning prophet magician, Merlin is usually in the non-combatant role of Arthur's advisor (Nickel 1987, 29).8 Because of some a this, scholars have argued thatMerlin is reflection of the ancient druids, the priest-magicians who figured strongly in pre-Christian Celtic religion (Jung and von Franz 1986, 359-60; Littleton and Malcor 1995, 89). Merlin was abundant with his advice about what Arthur should do on the battlefield, but was not was taking part in the actual battle just part ofMerlin's style.Or it? a There is surprising amount of military imagery in several of Merlin's in more legends (Ashe Stewart 1987, 43-44).9 Merlin isdoing than just standing around, watching from hilltops and giving advice. He is often in the thick of battle and sometimes carries a sword.10 There are several stories that connect most Merlin with swords, notably the 'Sword in the Stone.' InMalory, when Arthur breaks Excalibur while fighting against Pellinore, Merlin is close enough to to put Pellinore sleep and then whisk Arthur to safety.That is the battle a position and function for draconarius (the bearer of the dragonhead standard a in cavalry unit), not for a druid. a sense more a Throughout the legends there is thatMerlin is than simply a magician (Knight in Stewart 1987, 57). In previous article, C. Scott Littleton and I overtones discussed the religious ofMerlin's garb.11Merlin's attire consists of a robe and a hat, the latter of which is often said to be associated either or with theWelsh with witches (Knight in Stewart 1987, 55-56). Another one possibility arises, however, if considers the garb of the Sarmatian draconarius as on a ca. at depicted relief found 1640 Chester: pointed steppe-style felt hat and cloak (Littleton and Malcor 1994,19, plate 3;Richmond 1945,17; Sulimirski see 1970, 175-76; Fig. 2).12 This content downloaded from 130.212.18.200 on Mon, 9 Jun 2014 19:07:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions MERLIN AND THE PENDRAGON 5 FigureTwo: Mounted Sarmatian(Chester); Drawn byLinda A. Malcor afterLittleton and Malcor 1994,14, plate 3. are not as Position during battle and garb the only things thatmark Merlin was a a Arthur's draconarius. There tradition in theMiddle Ages that very was special standard belonged inMerlins hand. This Arthurs standard, the famous 'Pendragon. THE PENDRAGON STANDARD Merlin isprobably best associated with the legend of 'The Sword in the Stone/ but medieval tradition also associated Arthur smentor with another piece of military equipment: the dragonhead standard. The conventional etymology name a of the Pendragon is that it is bastardized construction fromWelsh pen see to ('head') plus Latin draco ('dragon; Nickel 1975,1-8). In addition serving as s both Arthur's and Uther patronymic in themedieval legends, 'Pendragon was to as used by medieval authors designate Arthurs standard well. were There various types of standards used by theRoman legions, auxiliary units and numeri.These includedthe Eagle and theManiple (Phillipsand Clark 1944,46, 50, 57; see Fig. 3) as well as theDragon (Phillipsand Clark a as a 1944, 50).13Vegetius depicted the eagle-bearer for legion wearing bear over note was skin his helmet and added the that the soldier usually of the was Equestrian class (Phillips and Clark 1944, 50). The standard bearer to a supposed be preeminent soldier, usually cavalry, but possibly infantry, on was or depending themilitary unit. So what Merlin rather than Lancelot as answer Gawain doing Arthurs standard-bearer? Perhaps the lies in the type of standard Merlin carries: the dragonhead standard. a A. Figure Three-. A Roman Standatd-Bearer with Maniple; Redrawn by Linda in Malcor after Vegetius Clark 1944, 46. This content downloaded from 130.212.18.200 on Mon, 9 Jun 2014 19:07:14 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 6 ARTHURIANA a was a an The bearer of dragonhead standard called draconarius, elite rank in one was on a the Roman army.14A picture of bearer found carved tombstone at Chester (Littleton and Malcor 1994, 14 [plate 1], 101).15The standard an a a consisted of iron piece shaped like dragons head with long windsock attachment trailing behind (Ammianus Marcellinus 16.10.4; Hamilton 1986, 100; Dixon and Southern 1997, 61). Recent archeological finds have turned a a up the head of such standard at Roman fort at Niederbieber, Germany see (Dixon and Southern, 1997, 61, pi. 10;Garbsch 1978, 88,Taf. 48.3; Fig. 4). were These standards originally carried by Sarmatian cavalry units (Nickel 1983, 19), who introduced this particular type of standard into the Roman army16 and, from there, into themedieval army.17The dragonhead standard came into use in the second century, concurrent with the induction of 8,000 Sarmatians into the Roman army (cf.Ashburner N.d.; Crampton 1995). The transfer of 5,500 of these Sarmatians to Bremetennacum (near modern Ribchester in Lancashire) in 175 introduced the standard to Britain. Lucius to Artorius Castus subsequently led these Sarmatians victory beneath this standard in his campaign against theCaledonii (ca. 184-85; Malcor 1999). In this campaign, the pattern of battles closely resembled the pattern given by one Nennius and later authors forArthur, including inCat Coit Celidon, the a Caledonian Woods (Malcor 1999), place that tenth-century poets associated with Merlin. FigureFour. The Dragonhead; Drawn by Linda A. Malcor afterthe dragonhead in the Koblenz Museum, Germany. one In manuscript of theVulgate Estoire del Saint Graal/Merlin (MS Paris, as Biblioth?que Nationale f. fr. 95, fol. 327V), Merlin appears Arthurs draconarius (see Fig. 1;Loomis and Loomis 1938, 95-97, fig. 224).18 The artist was for thismanuscript obsessed with the dragonhead standard and repeated themotif in several illuminations, including ff. 162V, 190,191V, 230V, and 327V (Loomis and Loomis 1939,96).