Three main Celtic groups dominated northwest Europe during the Iron Age and through the period of the Romans and these were the Britons, the Gaels and the Gauls. The Gaels or Celts inhabiting the Scottish Highlands and Ireland and who settled in England will be the focus of this article which introduces an unlikely but very real hero (his name most people are familiar with) and his heroic quest between paganism and Christianity.
The Celts who came to Ireland and Scotland introduced a new language, new beliefs and new ways into these lands. There was strong kinship between tribes and each tribe had its own classes: the Druids, warriors or nobles and commoners. Each tribe also had its own king. The Celts had a strong sense of honour and showing bravery and courage in a battle would boost a Celtic warrior’s reputation.
This was the age of Druids and magicians; of gods and goddesses, nature spirits, faeries, elves and dwarfs. Their lives had a strong sense of structure with spectacular festivals and rituals taking place throughout the year. There was huge respect for the Earth or Bone Mother; the Celts worshipped the forces of nature, the spirits of the trees, the Sun god and the moon god among many others. At Samhain (Halloween) which was believed to be the Celt’s New Year, sacrifices and gifts were offered in thanksgiving. Fires were lit to ward off evil. Spirits were believed to walk the earth.
But times change and Christianity was beginning to spread among the Celts. Initially the new Christians, converted by missionaries were encouraged to adapt their new beliefs to their Celtic culture. Slowly Celtic rituals would be discouraged by the Christians and converted to a more Christian acceptable practice. Spirits walking the land and worship of demonic gods was considered evil by the Christians and Samhain was transformed to the feast of All Saints to be celebrated on the 1st November.
Those following the old religion were decreasing and in the final battle, the ultimate fight between a Pagan and a Christian king a most unlikely hero took part, fighting for his king and fighting for his beliefs. That hero was called Merlin.
Merlin who is most associated with wizardry, wise man and prophet, friend and adviser to King Arthur may not seem the most likely figure for heroic quests but few realise he took part in the very real battle of Arthuret against the Christians.
Prior to this battle, Merlin or Myrddin was a bard and adviser to the Celtic king or Pagan warlord, Gwenddlau. The Battle of Ardderydd (modern-day Arthuret) was fought between this Pagan king and the Christian king, Rhydderch Hael of Strathclyde.
It was the year 573 AD and during the battle (one of three in the area at this time including the battle of Carwinley at Moat, between Longtown and Penton) Merlin fought like a hero. Later it is believed he admitted to having killed his niece and nephew, children of his sister and King Rhydderch. Certainly Merlin witnessed the death of his nephew and brothers during the battle. The Pagan King Gwenddolau was also killed.
The battle of Arthuret marked the defeat of the pagan forces of Gweddlau and the establishment of a Christian kingdom in England. In this poem, the bard described the horrific battle: “Warriors ready for battle, for slaughter armed/For this battle, Arfderydd, they have made/A lifetime of preparation/A host of spears fly high, drawing blood/From a host of vigorous warriors – /A host, fleeing; a host wounded –A host, bloody, retreating.’
After the battle and after having witnessed such terrible carnage including the death of his brothers, and having lost to the Christian forces, it was all too much for the Bard and Merlin ran off to live as a wild man in the Forest of Caledon. During this time he is believed to have prophesised many events. Then, according to one myth, Rydderch’s men eventually found Merlin and he was stoned until he backed over a cliff and fell into a shallow river.
Recently Arthuret church in Longtown, celebrated its 400 years anniversary and the congregation were given a glimpse into its fascinating history including the battle of Arthuret which took place at a site just opposite the church and which marked the end of paganism and the beginning of a Christian kingdom. Few however are aware that in this battle an unlikely hero Merlin, fought with all his might for his king and for his quest: paganism against Christianity.
Sources
http://www.lundyisleofavalon.co.uk/arthur/merlin.htm
http://esmeraldamac.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/gwenddoleu-and-the-battle-of-arthuret-573ce/
http://www.visitcumbria.com/car/longtown-st-michael-and-all-angels-church.htm
http://wolf.mind.net/library/celtic/encyc/celts377.txt
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/lane/xxu13/merlin.htm
http://www.sacredconnections.co.uk/holyland/CelticHistory.htm
http://www.dward.co.uk/culture.html
Somerville, Carole “Life and Times of Nicholforest and Moat” Nicholforest Heritage Society December 2006
http://www.bookscumbria.com/cgi-bin/trolleyed_public.cgi?action=showprod_2718
© C Somerville – This article has also been published on Yahoo Voices and Helium. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing
The Celts who came to Ireland and Scotland introduced a new language, new beliefs and new ways into these lands. There was strong kinship between tribes and each tribe had its own classes: the Druids, warriors or nobles and commoners. Each tribe also had its own king. The Celts had a strong sense of honour and showing bravery and courage in a battle would boost a Celtic warrior’s reputation.
This was the age of Druids and magicians; of gods and goddesses, nature spirits, faeries, elves and dwarfs. Their lives had a strong sense of structure with spectacular festivals and rituals taking place throughout the year. There was huge respect for the Earth or Bone Mother; the Celts worshipped the forces of nature, the spirits of the trees, the Sun god and the moon god among many others. At Samhain (Halloween) which was believed to be the Celt’s New Year, sacrifices and gifts were offered in thanksgiving. Fires were lit to ward off evil. Spirits were believed to walk the earth.
But times change and Christianity was beginning to spread among the Celts. Initially the new Christians, converted by missionaries were encouraged to adapt their new beliefs to their Celtic culture. Slowly Celtic rituals would be discouraged by the Christians and converted to a more Christian acceptable practice. Spirits walking the land and worship of demonic gods was considered evil by the Christians and Samhain was transformed to the feast of All Saints to be celebrated on the 1st November.
Those following the old religion were decreasing and in the final battle, the ultimate fight between a Pagan and a Christian king a most unlikely hero took part, fighting for his king and fighting for his beliefs. That hero was called Merlin.
Merlin who is most associated with wizardry, wise man and prophet, friend and adviser to King Arthur may not seem the most likely figure for heroic quests but few realise he took part in the very real battle of Arthuret against the Christians.
Prior to this battle, Merlin or Myrddin was a bard and adviser to the Celtic king or Pagan warlord, Gwenddlau. The Battle of Ardderydd (modern-day Arthuret) was fought between this Pagan king and the Christian king, Rhydderch Hael of Strathclyde.
It was the year 573 AD and during the battle (one of three in the area at this time including the battle of Carwinley at Moat, between Longtown and Penton) Merlin fought like a hero. Later it is believed he admitted to having killed his niece and nephew, children of his sister and King Rhydderch. Certainly Merlin witnessed the death of his nephew and brothers during the battle. The Pagan King Gwenddolau was also killed.
The battle of Arthuret marked the defeat of the pagan forces of Gweddlau and the establishment of a Christian kingdom in England. In this poem, the bard described the horrific battle: “Warriors ready for battle, for slaughter armed/For this battle, Arfderydd, they have made/A lifetime of preparation/A host of spears fly high, drawing blood/From a host of vigorous warriors – /A host, fleeing; a host wounded –A host, bloody, retreating.’
After the battle and after having witnessed such terrible carnage including the death of his brothers, and having lost to the Christian forces, it was all too much for the Bard and Merlin ran off to live as a wild man in the Forest of Caledon. During this time he is believed to have prophesised many events. Then, according to one myth, Rydderch’s men eventually found Merlin and he was stoned until he backed over a cliff and fell into a shallow river.
Recently Arthuret church in Longtown, celebrated its 400 years anniversary and the congregation were given a glimpse into its fascinating history including the battle of Arthuret which took place at a site just opposite the church and which marked the end of paganism and the beginning of a Christian kingdom. Few however are aware that in this battle an unlikely hero Merlin, fought with all his might for his king and for his quest: paganism against Christianity.
Sources
http://www.lundyisleofavalon.co.uk/arthur/merlin.htm
http://esmeraldamac.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/gwenddoleu-and-the-battle-of-arthuret-573ce/
http://www.visitcumbria.com/car/longtown-st-michael-and-all-angels-church.htm
http://wolf.mind.net/library/celtic/encyc/celts377.txt
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/lane/xxu13/merlin.htm
http://www.sacredconnections.co.uk/holyland/CelticHistory.htm
http://www.dward.co.uk/culture.html
Somerville, Carole “Life and Times of Nicholforest and Moat” Nicholforest Heritage Society December 2006
http://www.bookscumbria.com/cgi-bin/trolleyed_public.cgi?action=showprod_2718
© C Somerville – This article has also been published on Yahoo Voices and Helium. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing