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(But oh so realistic.)
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(you're talking about magic, here. "Realistic" is a word for it.)
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* '''Magical Mastery:''' Arguably one of the most powerful wizards of all time, it can be assumed that Merlin were rich in learning and experience and that his proficiency and knowledge in magic were matched by few if any wizard in his time.
  
* '''Magical Mastery:''' Arguably one of the most powerful wizards of all time, it can be assumed that Merlin were rich in learning and experience and that his proficiency and knowledge in magic were matched by few if any wizard in his time.
 
* '''Charms:''' Merlin's skill in using charms, bewitchments and enchantments are legendary, to the point of him being dubbed the "Prince of Enchanters", which speaks for his exceptional ability in this field of magic.
  
* '''Charms:''' Merlin's skill in using charms, bewitchments and enchantments are legendary, to the point of him being dubbed the "Prince of Enchanters", which speaks for his exceptional ability in this field of magic.
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* '''Elemental Magic affinity: '''As demonstrated in the 1379 duelling contest, prior to the invention of practical dueling spells normally found in the repertoire of most duelists in later time, the weapon of choice for many medieval witches and wizard practicing medieval martial magic were spells more closely connected to the natural world, using Atmospheric Charms such as creating powerful cyclones or calling forth storm clouds down from the sky and drench adversaries in freezing-cold rain and bolts of lightning. Possessing a power that went beyond that of most other witches and wizards of his time, Merlin presumably was a great wielder of the power of the elements when combating his foes, such as Morgana Le Fay. His wand, which is made out of English Oak, a wood known to choose wizards with an affinity with the magic of the natural world, supports this.
  
 
*'''Spell inventor (possibly):''' It was thought by some that the [[Disarming Charm]] had been a creation of [[Merlin]]'s, although some (like [[Miranda Goshawk]] writes in ''[[Book of Spells]]'') maintain that that spell was created in the [[14th century]] by [[Elizabeth Smudgling]].
  
*'''Spell inventor (possibly):''' It was thought by some that the [[Disarming Charm]] had been a creation of [[Merlin]]'s, although some (like [[Miranda Goshawk]] writes in ''[[Book of Spells]]'') maintain that that spell was created in the [[14th century]] by [[Elizabeth Smudgling]].
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*'''Seer: (possibly)''' According to the Arthurian Legends of Muggles, Merlin had the power to see into the future.
  
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
 
*Merlin is a wizard featured in many British legends. Though he first appeared under the name Myrddin Wyllt (Merlin the wild) in Welsh literature as a half-crazed prophet of the forest, he is perhaps most famous as a central figure in the Arthurian legend. He is most commonly depicted as the adviser of King Arthur.<ref>[[Wikipedia:Merlin|Merlin]] at [[Wikipedia:Main Page|Wikipedia]]</ref>
  
*Merlin is a wizard featured in many British legends. Though he first appeared under the name Myrddin Wyllt (Merlin the wild) in Welsh literature as a half-crazed prophet of the forest, he is perhaps most famous as a central figure in the Arthurian legend. He is most commonly depicted as the adviser of King Arthur.<ref>[[Wikipedia:Merlin|Merlin]] at [[Wikipedia:Main Page|Wikipedia]]</ref>
−
*Whether the Arthurian Legends is correct or even consistent with the magical counterpart of the myths is unknown, but considering the fact that both versions were written in a time where wizards safely could associate with Muggles, centuries before both the witch-hunts began for real and the decision for wizardkind to go into hiding from them, it is quite possible the real-life Muggle version bears some degree of historical accuracy to the actual events of the wizarding world, even if Muggles believe it to be fairytale and legends today.
  
   
 
*As the legends and tales of Merlin is known both to Muggles and wizards alike, and Muggles have written about how Merlin is said to have been the child of a human woman who was impregnated by a demon, many fans speculates that Merlin may have been a Half-Blood wizard, and that his father may have been a fearsome Warlock using magic against Muggles and were so widely feared by Muggles that he was recorded in myth as an evil entity. However, as mentioned, this is just speculation.
  
*As the legends and tales of Merlin is known both to Muggles and wizards alike, and Muggles have written about how Merlin is said to have been the child of a human woman who was impregnated by a demon, many fans speculates that Merlin may have been a Half-Blood wizard, and that his father may have been a fearsome Warlock using magic against Muggles and were so widely feared by Muggles that he was recorded in myth as an evil entity. However, as mentioned, this is just speculation.

Revision as of 21:35, 18 May 2015


"Medieval, dates unknown. Most famous wizard of all time. Sometimes known as the Prince of Enchanters. Part of the Court of King Arthur."
— Merlin's Chocolate Frog Card.[src]

Merlin was a wizard who lived during the medieval era. Little is known of his past, but he was a member of King Arthur's court, and arguably one of the most powerful wizards of all time.[3]

Biography

Early life

Merlin was born sometime during the medieval era.[3] During his formative years, he attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and was sorted into Slytherin House.[4] It is possible that he was taught by Salazar Slytherin himself, given the time period Merlin lived in. It is said that Merlin's wand was of English oak (though his grave has never been found, so this cannot be proven).[4]

Later life

At some point in his lifetime, Merlin became a part of the Court of King Arthur, assisting him during his reign.[3] He was the enemy of Arthur's half-sister, Morgan le Fay, a dark witch.[5]

Merlin believed that wizards should help Muggles and live peacefully with them.[3] To this end, he founded the Order of Merlin, an organisation which promoted Muggle rights, creating rules against using magic on them.[3]

Merlin was also an expert user of charms.[3] His exceptional skill earned him the epithet "Prince of Enchanters".[3]

Legacy

At some point, either during Merlin's lifetime or after his death, the Order of Merlin switched from a Muggle rights organisation to an award bestowed upon witches and wizards who performed a great deed at personal risk or contributed to the betterment of wizarding society in some way.

MerlinPoA

A Chocolate Frog Card bearing Merlin's effigy.

Merlin's renown led his name to become a part of everyday wizarding vernacular. The popular exclamation, "Merlin's beard!", and the more unusual "Merlin's pants!" are examples of such.

Slytherin students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry took special pride in Merlin — "the most famous wizard in history" — having been Sorted into their House.[3] However, this fact is one that the other houses do not like to recognise.[4]

Merlin was immortalised on a Chocolate Frog Card. Harry Potter found a copy of this card in one of the Chocolate Frogs he bought on the Hogwarts Express on 1 September, 1991.[6]

On 31 July, 1998, the Daily Prophet published a letter by a reader suggesting a "Merlin Remembrance Day" be established.[7]

Magical abilities and skills

  • Magical Mastery: Arguably one of the most powerful wizards of all time, it can be assumed that Merlin were rich in learning and experience and that his proficiency and knowledge in magic were matched by few if any wizard in his time.
  • Charms: Merlin's skill in using charms, bewitchments and enchantments are legendary, to the point of him being dubbed the "Prince of Enchanters", which speaks for his exceptional ability in this field of magic.
  • Spell inventor (possibly): It was thought by some that the Disarming Charm had been a creation of Merlin's, although some (like Miranda Goshawk writes in Book of Spells) maintain that that spell was created in the 14th century by Elizabeth Smudgling.

Behind the scenes

  • Merlin is a wizard featured in many British legends. Though he first appeared under the name Myrddin Wyllt (Merlin the wild) in Welsh literature as a half-crazed prophet of the forest, he is perhaps most famous as a central figure in the Arthurian legend. He is most commonly depicted as the adviser of King Arthur.[8]
  • As the legends and tales of Merlin is known both to Muggles and wizards alike, and Muggles have written about how Merlin is said to have been the child of a human woman who was impregnated by a demon, many fans speculates that Merlin may have been a Half-Blood wizard, and that his father may have been a fearsome Warlock using magic against Muggles and were so widely feared by Muggles that he was recorded in myth as an evil entity. However, as mentioned, this is just speculation.
  • One of the possible questions in the Sorting quiz at Pottermore mentions that Merlin marked his possessions with a mysterious rune. Since this is just a possible answer to a hypothetical question, it is unclear if Merlin actually used this symbol as his mark in historical canon.
  • Albus Dumbledore, an extraordinarily talented and powerful wizard, resembled Merlin in many ways, such as the iconic long beard and prodigious magical skill. Both were "Muggle sympathizers", although Merlin's belief in the pure-blood elitism is unknown, it likely was the same as Dumbledore's.
  • It is unusual that Merlin, one of the most famous proponents of Muggle rights and tolerance, would be placed in Slytherin, a house strongly associated with anti-Muggle views, although since he was such an ambitious person with all his plans for the Order of Merlin, it is not entirely surprising. Slytherins aren't necessarily evil or bad, nor is there any reliable information on whether or not the House of Slytherin actually held the same views in Merlin's time.
  • In fact, the entire placement of Merlin at Hogwarts is paradoxical. Hogwarts was founded in the 9th/10th century, and while the early 9th century was the time the first records of the Arthur-myth were written, the actual myth plays around the year 500 A.D., meaning that the 'historical' Merlin in fact predates Hogwarts by roughly five-hundred years. However Merlin, being the wizard he is, was probably allowed adult education to further his magical studies and abilities in the search to become more powerful.
  • Coincidentally, Colin Morgan, who plays Merlin in BBC One's Merlin, was sorted into Slytherin in Pottermore.[citation needed]

Appearances

External links

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Given Hogwarts was founded in around 993 A.D. and that Merlin attended it, he must have been eleven by or after the school's founding. So, the earliest date he could have possibly been born is 982.
  2. ↑ [1]
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Famous Wizard Card (Merlin)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Pottermore
  5. ↑ Famous Wizard Card (Morgan le Fay)
  6. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Chapter 6 (The Journey From Platform Nine and Three-quarters)
  7. ↑ The Daily Prophet (31 July 1998) - Page 3
  8. ↑ Merlin at Wikipedia
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