Rationalizing the Irrational: Merlin and His Prophecies in the Modern Historical Novel Author(s): RAYMOND H. THOMPSON Source: Arthuriana, Vol. 10, No. 1, ESSAYS ON MERLIN (SPRING 2000), pp. 116-126 Published by: Scriptorium Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27869524 . Accessed: 09/06/2014 19:09 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 19:09:16 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions Rationalizing the Irrational: Merlin and His Prophecies in theModern Historical Novel RAYMOND H. THOMPSON are Merlin's magical powers usually rationalized in modern historical fiction. His visions of the remain even future, however, prophetic, when are aided his own events. they by inspired guesswork and intervention in so That Merlin's prophecies should stubbornly resist the conventions a core of the genre suggests they have become element in Arthurian tradition. (RHT) as a modern fascination with Merlin worker of magic sometimes us to a The leads forget that he has talents other than weaving spells.1 To extent a current as a large this is consequence of the popularity of fantasy ease can literary genre, and it is reinforced by the with which special effects be created in films, to say nothing of cartoons. Yet inmedieval literature awesome as an Merlin, despite his reputation enchanter, spends most of his even a so time dispensing wise advice, ifhe does show fondness for doing in unexpected guises (see, e.g.,Malory I: 38). In the prose romances, moreover, he also demonstrates considerable skill inmilitary tactics, and it isby following his counsel that the young Arthur and his allies defeat the rebellious kings and other foes (see, e.g., Malory I: 27). even The authors of themodern historical novel, therefore, though they are discouraged by the conventions of the genre from including supernatural can a a elements, still draw upon well-established tradition of figure widely owes more to respected for his wisdom. This wisdom, moreover, shrewdness common sense to at as as and than supernatural powers, least far modern can are readers discern. In medieval literature, Arthur and his knights as were preoccupied with honor rather than with military tactics, indeed an their aristocratic audience. Superior enemy numbers merely offer a was opportunity to exhibit heroic valor, quality that both the strength and one weakness of European chivalry during theMiddle Ages. On the hand, it to over enabled them endure desperate hardships and triumph less dedicated foes; on the other, it rendered them vulnerable to a crafty enemy like the ARTHURIANA IO.I (2OOO) Il6 This content downloaded from 130.212.18.200 on Mon, 9 Jun 2014 19:09:16 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions MERLIN IN THE MODERN NOVEL 117 nomadic horsemen from the steppes and those who learned to fight like them, as the crusaders learned to their cost (see, e.g., Hildinger 95-107). In astuteness seem thiswarrior culture,Merlins might well supernatural, inspired by either God or theDevil, and historical novelists have been quick to seize as an upon the naivety of the general populace explanation forMerlins areas as reputation, not only inmilitary matters, but in other well. Because of his wisdom, Merlin is numbered among Arthur's counsellors most in historical novels. Occasionally he is self-serving: in The Queens Knight a (1995) byMarvin Borowsky, he is cunning politician who sponsors Arthur's to an claim the throne in the expectation that he will prove easily manipulated puppet; in The Emperor Arthur (1967) by Godfrey Turton, his ambition drives to him join the Saxons and later help Mordred; in Peter Vansittart's Lancelot narrator as a (1978), the dismisses him charlatan who merely exploited the general ignorance' (120). to More often, however, Merlin is completely loyal Arthur, especially when starts out as tutor. he his This ismost strikinglywitnessed inMary Stewart's not Merlin trilogy (1973?79) where the young king only relies upon his a on advice, but also loves him like father. In their respective series Guinevere, Nancy McKenzie (1994?95) and Persia Woolley (1987-91), both of whom theirdebt to warm acknowledge Stewart,2 share her view of their relationship, as do Edison Marshall, JackWhyte, and JoanWolf. All six authors reinforce a the bond of affection with link through blood: Merlin isArthur's cousin in Stewart, McKenzie, Woolley, andWhyte (where he isboth cousin and uncle); his in and his in grandfather Wolf; great-uncle Marshall. InKinsmen of the Grail (1963) by Dorothy James Roberts, we are told that he tutored Arthur in his boyhood and became his foster father. He also serves as tutor in George Finkel's Twilight Province (1967; published as Watch Fires to theNorth in the United States). Here, however, he is a wanderer from Armenia attached to the household of Bedivere's father, and he has no close with who is a relationship Arthur rescued from Saxon raiding ship. Arthur does owe his life to his skill as a surgeon, however, and these recur in healing talents other novels.Whereas inMalory Merlin takesArthur to a hermit for treatment in (I: 52), Douglas Carmichael's Pendragon (1977) he himself washes Arthur's wounds after his fightwith Pellinor, then 'smeared them with a salve before stinging binding them up' (48). InVictor Canning's 'Crimson Chalice Trilogy' (1976-78), he saves Arthur's life not once, but at twice: first childbirth, then after an assassination attempt. Merlin's a knowledge of herbs wins him reputation as a healer in other novels too, particularly those by Stewart andWoolley. This content downloaded from 130.212.18.200 on Mon, 9 Jun 2014 19:09:16 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions ii8 ARTHURIANA The story that Merlin transported the stone circle from Ireland to Stonehenge, first recorded by Geoffrey ofMonmouth in The History of the a to s Kings ofBritain, is tribute another ofMerlin skills. In Geoffreys account, uses no own Merlin magic, but rathermachinery of his devising. Stewart one includes this episode in The Crystal Cave (1970), though here it is stone, the king-stone, that is taken instead of the entire circle.This story,presumably, explains why Walter O'Meara makes Merlin the chief of Arthur's engineers in The Duke of 'War (1966). as InWhyte's on-going series A Dream of Eagles' (1992-97; published 'The Camulod Chronicles' in theUnited States), Merlin is skilled not only as an as a war a engineer, but also warrior and leader, waging number of successful military campaigns in defence of the Colony of Camulod. in Normally, however, he holds himself aloof from physical combat historical can at He even to kill the novels, though he defend himself need. manages news death at the much more experienced warrior who brings of Gorlois's In it is conclusion of The Crystal Cave by Stewart. Carmichael's Pendragon, he who rouses the serfs and townsfolk of Caerleon to assist Arthur in his arise without first battle against the rival kings (81), whereas inMalory they his prompting (I: 19). Merlin's finest talents, nevertheless, lie in other directions. He is a druid Persia Child inRoy Turner's King of theLordless Country (1971), Woolley's of in 'Warlord Chronicles' theNorthern Spring (1987), and Bernard Cornwell's is a (1995-97) where he labors to restore the power of the old gods; he bard at and in trained Mona (Anglesey) inW. Barnard Faraday's Pendragon (1930) where he is named after the first Anna Taylor's Drustan theWanderer (1971) Rex Merlin, a druid; and he is both druid and bard in John Gloag's Artorius (1977) and m Catherine Christian's The Sword and theFlame (1978; published as in where Merlin is a rank rather than a The Pendragon theUnited States) name. death the novel's narrator, himself personal After Arthur's Bedivere, fulfilsMerlin's becomes theMerlin, but it is his predecessor, Celidon, who of the not traditional role. Celidon is later imprisoned by the Lady Lake, into which he out of hostile intent, but for protection from the madness Wild Man in sinks. This madness, with its origins in theCeltic story of the occurs theWoods (see Jarman; Galyon and Thundy), in other historical as Arthur and theRiders novels well, including Thomas Clare's King ofRheged a administered (1992) and Stewart's trilogywhere it is blamed upon poison by his bitter enemy Morgause. another of his talents In Carmichael's Pendragon, Merlin demonstrates herself so that see Uther as when he hypnotizes the guards and Igraine they This content downloaded from 130.212.18.200 on Mon, 9 Jun 2014 19:09:16 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions MERLIN IN THE MODERN NOVEL 119 Gorlois. InWarwick Deeping's Uther and Igraine (1903), conversely, he to hypnotizes Igraine make her marry Gorlois. are to These qualities all credible enough themodern mind, but another, more the ability to foresee and prophesy the future, is controversial. Nevertheless Merlin is blessed, or cursed, with the talent of a seer inmany historical novels, including those by Stewart,Woolley, McKenzie, Canning, Carmichael, Deeping, Taylor, Parke Godwin, Gil Kane and John Jakes.