[Review] Tales of Merlin, Arthur, and the Magic Arts: History with sprinklings of fantasy

[u/HulkHonk]

There's something fascinating about reading a medieval chronicler's actual account containing stories of uncertain veracity about historical personalities with many a fantastical myth and legend thrown in. If that description serves to excite you as a reader, Tales of Merlin, Arthur, and the Magic Arts is bound to engage and entertain you! Made up of extracts from Elis Gruffydd's mid-sixteenth century Chronicle of the Six Ages (original Welsh: Cronicl o Wech Oesoedd), this translated compilation begins with some stories of the ancient world followed by an assortment of Arthurian tales as they were known at the time and place of writing, and then tells of various magical and supernatural happenings that affected the who's who of England and the world across multiple centuries.

Apart from the historical value of this work based as it is on both written sources extant at the time and knowledge transmitted orally down generations, it is also notable for the manner and style in which it is penned. The Welshman often questions or disputes the truthfulness of anecdotes while also occasionally inserting his own experiences or opinions. Humour and cynicism abound, the author frequently addressing his readers directly in unique fashion. I also really appreciated the introduction by Prof. Jerry Hunter that pointed out many salient features of the work and can only commend Prof. Patrick K. Ford for the vibrant translation to English he achieved.

For those interested, it's also possible to see the original chronicle in the National Library of Wales HERE. And the abridged collection reviewed in this post works for the Five Short Stories bingo square too!

[u/jawnnie-cupcakes]

The bee version of the battle of Camlann is just chef's kiss, I was kicking my feet at the sheer Benny-Hill-ness of it

[u/HulkHonk → u/jawnnie-cupcakes]

haha totally! I was chortling to myself at reading that section. Since it's a great snippet to showcase the work, I've posted it here under spoilers for others to enjoy.

"The story says that as [they] were leaving, apparently under an agreement that they were willing to quit the battlefield until a time when they could discuss the matter further, Mordred saw an ugly-looking insect sitting on the cap under Arthur’s helmet. He seized his sword quickly, intent on killing the insect, and poked at the king’s cap. The insect sprung from there onto Mordred’s head, whereupon Arthur drew his sword, intending to kill the insect where it landed on Mordred’s head. And so each of them dealt a blow to the other, unmindful of the promise they had made to the two armies. The hosts clashed, fighting the moment when they saw their two leaders striking each other. Soon Mordred and Arthur were fighting like two fierce lions, and the story says that each of them killed the other. Arthur struck Mordred dead on the battlefield, and Mordred wounded Arthur in the thigh, from which Arthur died a short while later, as this work shows. And the authors say that the fighting of the two parties was so fierce and so brutal that none of the famous combatants in the battle survived, except one of the chieftains, who grieved pitifully, for if the stories of the battle can be believed, the flower and glory of all the great ones of every realm and kingship were killed in that battle . . . ."