Merlin

            
             Merlin, the greatest magician of all time. He lived, if indeed he lived at all, in.
             Wales and southern England during the dawn of Christianity in those lands, long.
             before written historical records were kept. Yet, his name is universally recognized.
             around the world as synonymous with magic, and his popular image is almost as well.
             known as that of Santa Claus. The beginning and ends of all things are all within.
             Merlin's sight. he keeps the prophecies of the future, he holds the memories of all that.
             has passed. When you hear the name Merlin an immediate image springs into the.
             mind of an old man with a flowing white beard and bushy white eyebrows, dressed in.
             a midnight blue robe and a tall pointed hat covered with stars. He is the prototypical.
             wizard. .
             Merlin is best known as the teacher and advisor of Arthur Pendragon, king of all.
             the Britons. The legends of these two mythical figures are linked, but there is no.
             certain proof that either man existed. Supposedly on Merlin's advice the famous.
             Round Table of Arthur's court was built and he helped select 50 of the knights who.
             were to sit at the table. .
             The popular myth of Merlin, as we know it today, has come down to us.
             primarily from two sources; one, the historian Geoffrey of Monmouth and the other, a.
             writer, Sir Thomas Malory. Both men collected bits and pieces from earlier sources. .
             Most of Malory's work was based on the French Arthurian prose cycle, a group of.
             French medieval romances centered around the court of King Arthur. Before Malory,.
             both Merlin and Arthur were better known on the Continent than they were in.
             England. Malory's work crystallized the Arthurian legend into the form we recognize.
             today. We know Merlin as a mysterious figure whose origin is uncertain. he has the.
             power to communicate with animals, to see visions of the future, and to work miracles.
             of magic. he has no specific home but dwells in the forest. After Arthur's ascent to.
             the throne, Merlin lives with him for a time in Camelot.