The sick man struggled to speak, and said to Merlin: ‘In God’s name, sir, how then shall I die?’
‘The day you die,’ Merlin replied, ‘you’ll be found hanging. You will hang the day you die.’
With that Merlin turned away from the sick man and looked very angry; and he left the king there in the house because he wanted the sick man to speak to him. When the invalid knew that Merlin was gone he said to the king: ‘Sire, were you ever so sure of anything as that that man is a crazy liar? He’s predicted two deaths for me, such that neither can be reconciled with the other! And I’ll test him a third time in your presence: tomorrow I’m going to go to an abbey and pretend to be sick; I’ll have the abbot send for you, saying I’m one of his monks and that he’s very distressed and afraid that I may die. The abbot will beg you to come and bring your seer with you. It’s the last time I’ll test him.’
The king promised to go and to take Merlin with him. So the baron went to an abbey and did exactly as he had said. The abbot sent a messenger to the king, who duly set off, taking Merlin with him, and came to the abbey, where on arrival he went to hear mass. The abbot came to him and begged him to come and see the sick monk, and the king asked Merlin if he would accompany him.
‘Willingly,’ Merlin replied, but he wished to speak first to his brother Uther. The king called Uther and Merlin together before an altar, and there Merlin said to them: ‘Sirs, the more I get to know you, the madder I find you. Do you think I don’t know how this fool who’s testing me is going to die? So help me God, I know very well, and I shall predict his death. And you’ll be even more amazed by what I say than you were the two other times he asked me!’
‘But Merlin,’ said the king, ‘is it really possible for any man to die such a death?’
‘If he doesn’t die so,’ Merlin replied, ‘don’t believe anything else I say. But I know the nature of his death – and yours. I can assure your brother Uther that I’ll see him king before I leave his company.’
With that Merlin, the king and his brother Uther went to see the baron; and the abbot said: ‘In God’s name, sire, ask your seer if this man can ever be cured.’
The king did so; and Merlin looked angry, saying to the abbot: ‘Sir, he has no mortal sickness and is quite capable of getting up! He’s wasting his time putting me to the test, for he will die in the two ways I’ve already described to him. But now I’ll tell him the third, more surprising than either; for know this: on the day he dies he’ll break his neck, and hang, and drown. Those who live will see him die this threefold death. Then they’ll know for certain whether I’ve told the truth.’
‘Sire,’ the baron said to the king, ‘you’ve heard this man say that on the day I die I’m going to break my neck and hang and drown! Surely this couldn’t happen to me or anyone!’
‘I won’t be sure,’ said the king, ‘until I’ve seen how you die.’
The baron was furious when he heard that Merlin would not be expelled from court until after his death; and news of the death he had predicted spread throughout the land, and everyone longed to know how Merlin’s words could be true. A little later, the baron who was due to die this death was out riding with a great company of men when he came to a river spanned by a wooden bridge. Suddenly his palfrey stumbled and fell to her knees; he was thrown forward and fell on his neck and broke it; and as his body tumbled into the river his gown snagged on an old, jagged bridge support, so that his legs and buttocks were up in the air and his shoulders and head in the water. So there he was: hanged, drowned, with a broken neck. He was pulled from the river, and the gentlemen who had been riding with him said: ‘Sirs, see if his neck is broken.’
They looked and said it was, for certain. Meanwhile Merlin came to Uther, whom he dearly loved, and told him how the man had died and bade him tell his brother the king. Uther did so, and the king was amazed and said: ‘Ask him when this happened.’
Uther came to Merlin and asked him, and he replied: ‘Yesterday. Those who are to bring the news will arrive in six days. I’m going now: I don’t want to be here when they arrive, for they’ll bother me with all kinds of things I don’t wish to hear, and I shan’t speak in their presence except in riddles.’
So said Merlin to Uther, and then he departed. And Uther came to the king and told him what had happened, and Pendragon was most upset, thinking that Merlin was angry. Meanwhile Merlin returned to Northumberland and related these and other events to Blaise as further material for his book.
So matters stayed for six days, until the riders arrived and told the king the amazing news of the baron’s death. Several people said they would write down everything Merlin said about the future: this was the beginning of the book of Merlin’s prophecies about the kings of England and other matters.
*
A long while passed; and in this time Merlin had commanding influence over11 Pendragon and his brother Uther. When he heard that his predictions were to be written down he told Blaise, and Blaise asked him: ‘Merlin, will their books be similar to the one I’m writing?’
‘Not at all,’ Merlin replied. ‘They will only record what has already happened.’
Then Merlin returned to the court, where they told him the news of the baron’s death as if he knew nothing about it. It was then that Merlin began to make the mystical pronouncements of which the book of his prophecies12 was composed. Then he came to Pendragon and his brother Uther and told them very openly that he loved them dearly and was eager that they should thrive. They were amazed to hear him speak so humbly, and asked him to tell them whatever he would, and to keep nothing secret that concerned them.
‘I’ll tell you nothing I should not,’ Merlin replied, ‘but I shall tell you something that will astound you. Do you remember the Saxons that you drove from the land after the death of Hengist? Well, Hengist was of a great family, and when they heard he was dead and his army driven from the land, they spoke to their followers and said they’d never be happy until they’d avenged Hengist’s death: they’re intent upon conquering your kingdom.’
Pendragon and Uther were taken aback by this and asked him: ‘Have they numbers great enough to match ours?’
And Merlin replied: ‘For every one of your warriors they have two, and unless you act with great intelligence they’ll destroy you and conquer your kingdom.’
‘We’ll do whatever you command, without fail,’ they said; and they asked him: ‘When do you think their army will arrive?’
‘On the ninth day of June,’ Merlin replied. ‘But no-one in the kingdom will know but you. I forbid you to speak of this to anyone; just do as I say. Summon your people and welcome them with all possible celebration – it’s wise to keep up men’s spirits – and ask them and all their followers to assemble at the beginning of June at the gates of Salisbury. There your army will gather. Then let the enemy come and land unhindered, and when they’ve disembarked let one of you take half your army and set yourselves between the enemy and the river, so that they’re forced to make camp away from their ships – even the boldest will be dismayed! I tell you, if you do this, you’ll be victorious.’
Then the two brothers said: ‘In God’s name, Merlin, tell us: will we die in this battle?’
‘Anything that has a beginning also has an end,’ Merlin replied. ‘No-one needs to fear death if he meets it as he should. Everyone must realise he’s going to die, and you must know it, too.’
‘You told me the other day,’ said Pendragon, ‘that you knew how I would die, just as you foresaw the death of the man who tested you. So I beg you, reveal it to me.’
And Merlin replied: ‘I want you to send for the finest, most potent reliquaries and relics you possess. And give me your oath upon them that you’ll do as I command – for your own benefit and honour. Afterwards I’ll tell you with certainty what you want me to reveal.’
They did exactly as Merlin had described, and then said: ‘Merlin, we’ve done as you commanded. Now tell us why you wanted this.’
&
nbsp; And Merlin answered: ‘King, you asked me a question about your death, and whether it would be in this battle. I’ll tell you all you need to know and you must ask no more. Are you aware of the oaths you’ve made? If not, I’ll tell you. You’ve sworn to behave as worthy knights in this battle, loyal to each other and to God. And I’ll tell you how to be loyal and merciful and just. I command you to make confession: you’ve greater need to be confessed now than at any other time, for I have to tell you that one of you is about to leave this world. The one who is left must promise to follow my advice in ordering the creation of the richest, most beautiful cemetery possible. I shall ensure that it lasts until the world’s end.’
Time passed and the day came. Their people gathered in great numbers beside the river at Salisbury, and many fine gifts and riches were exchanged and shared between them there. Then word came that a fleet of ships had arrived, and when the king and Uther heard the news they knew that Merlin had been right. The king ordered his prelates and the dignitaries of Holy Church to see that every man in the army made confession and forgave each other for any past ill-will. Meanwhile the enemy had disembarked and were now on land. For eight days they rested there, and on the ninth they took to their horses. Merlin told Pendragon to order his men to mount, and the king asked his advice on how to act. And Merlin replied: ‘Tomorrow send Uther with a great body of men, and when they see that the enemy are well away from the shore, let your brother and his men advance so close that they’re forced to make a fortified camp. Then Uther should draw back, but keep them so hemmed in that they’re pinned down where they’ve camped. They’ll all be desperate to return where they came from! For twelve days let it be so, and on the thirteenth – which will be a fine, clear day – order your men to arm. Then you will see a red dragon flying through the air between earth and heaven. When you see this symbol of your name,13 you may join battle in the certain knowledge that your army will be victorious.’
They did as Merlin said, Uther leading a mighty force to pin the enemy down. They kept them so for twelve days, and on the thirteenth, when they saw all the signs appear, they were ready. Pendragon’s men spurred their horses into a galloping charge against the Saxons, and when Uther saw the king’s force massing he attacked with his men, too, just as fiercely if not more. So now you have heard how the battle of Salisbury began. And Pendragon was killed there, but Uther was victorious – though many died, both rich and poor. So many of the Saxons died that not a man escaped, for all were either killed or drowned. So ended the battle of Salisbury. Pendragon died but Uther survived and was king; and he had all the Christian bodies buried, each man burying his friend. But the bodies of his brother and his retinue were carried from the field, and each placed in a tomb with his name carved upon it; but Pendragon’s was higher than the rest, and Uther said no name should be carved upon his, for only a fool could see that tomb and not recognise it as Pendragon’s. When this was done he rode to London with his army and all the prelates of Holy Church, and there Uther was crowned.
On the fifteenth day after the coronation, Merlin came to court. The king gave him a joyful welcome, and Merlin said: ‘I want you to tell your people what I predicted about the Saxons’ invasion, and you must fulfil the oaths that you and Pendragon made.’
Then Merlin told Uther the significance of the dragon that had flown through the air, saying: ‘The dragon came as a sign of King Pendragon’s death and the accession of Uther.’
It was because of this that he was ever after named Utherpendragon.
So matters stayed for a long while, and Merlin was the closest friend and counsellor to Utherpendragon. A day finally came when Merlin said to the king: ‘What are you going to do about Pendragon, who lies at Salisbury?’
‘Whatever you wish,’ Utherpendragon replied.
‘You promised me you’d have a cemetery made,’ said Merlin, ‘and I vowed to ensure that it would last till the world’s end. Fulfil your promise and I’ll fulfil mine.’
‘What should I do?’ he asked.
‘Undertake the building of something unheard of,’ Merlin replied, ‘and it will be talked of for evermore!’
‘I’m at your command,’ said the king.
‘Listen, then,’ said Merlin. ‘Send men to fetch the great stones that are in Ireland. Send vessels there to bring them back. No matter how huge they may be, I’ll lift them. I’ll go there to show them which to bring.’
So Utherpendragon sent his biggest ships to Ireland with a great host of men. And when they arrived Merlin showed them an array of massive stones and said: ‘Sirs, these are the stones you’re to take back.’
When they saw the stones they thought him infantile, and said that all the people in the world together could not move one.
‘We’ll never put your stones in our ships, please God!’
‘Then you’ve come for nothing,’ said Merlin; and they returned to Utherpendragon and told him of Merlin’s absurd command. And the king replied: ‘Just you wait till Merlin comes.’
And when Merlin came, and the king told him what his people had said, Merlin replied: ‘Since they’ve all let me down, I’ll fulfil my oath by myself.’
Then, by magic, Merlin brought the stones from Ireland to the cemetery at Salisbury,14 and there they are still. And when they arrived, Utherpendragon went to see them, taking with him a great number of his people; and when they beheld them they declared that no-one had ever seen such enormous stones, and did not believe that all the people in the world could have carried even one. They were baffled as to how Merlin could have brought them there, for no-one had witnessed it. Then Merlin said they should stand them up, for they would look better upright than lying down, but Utherpendragon replied: ‘No-one could possibly do that, except God – or you.’
‘Then go now,’ said Merlin, ‘and I shall erect them. Then I’ll have fulfilled my oath to Pendragon – for I shall have made for him something inconceivable.’
And so Merlin erected the stones of the cemetery at Salisbury; and that was the end of the work.
*
Merlin cared deeply for Utherpendragon and served him for a long while, until he knew he had the king’s entire affection. Then Merlin spoke to him privately, saying: ‘I ought to reveal to you some of my deepest secrets, now that this land is fully in your hands. Because of my love for you I shall conceal15 nothing. Didn’t I save you from death at Hengist’s hands? That should have earned me your love in return.’
‘I’ll do all in my power,’ Utherpendragon replied, ‘to obey your every command.’
‘If you do so,’ said Merlin, ‘it will be greatly to your benefit, for I’ll teach you a simple way to win Christ’s love.’
‘Merlin,’ replied the king, ‘speak your mind openly.’
‘You must understand, sire,’ Merlin said, ‘that I have knowledge of all things past, both word and deed, inherited from the Enemy. But Our Lord omnipotent gave me knowledge of things to come. Because of that the Enemy have lost me: I will never work on their behalf. Now you know the source of my power. Sire,’ he said, ‘I’ll tell you what Our Lord wishes you to know; and make sure you use this knowledge to do His will. You must believe, sire, that Our Lord came to Earth to save the world, and sat at the Last Supper and said: “One of you has betrayed me.” And the one who had done this wicked deed was severed from His company. After this, sire, God suffered death for us. There was a soldier who asked for the body from the one who had the power to grant it, and he took Jesus from the cross where He’d been hung. And then, sire, God came back to life. And after Christ’s vengeful return, it happened that this soldier was in a desolate land with part of his family and many more people who were in his company, and a great famine beset them. They implored this knight, as their leader, to ask God why they were suffering such misfortune; and Our Lord bade him make a table in memory of the Last Supper. And on this table the knight placed a vessel which he covered with white cloths so that he alone could see it. This vessel separated the good p
eople from the bad. Anyone who was able to sit at this table found the fulfilment of his heart’s desires. But there was always an empty seat at the table, sire, signifying the place where Judas had sat at the Last Supper when he realised that Our Lord’s words referred to him. This place was left symbolically empty at the knight’s table, until such time as Our Lord should seat another man there to make up the number of the twelve apostles. And so Our Lord fulfilled men’s hearts; and at the second table they called the vessel which bestowed this grace the Grail. If you’ll trust in my advice, you’ll establish a third table in the name of the Trinity, which these three tables will signify. And if you do this, I promise you it will greatly benefit your body and your soul, and such things will happen in your time as will astound you. If you’re willing to do this I will lend you aid, and I assure you it will be a deed of high renown in this world. If you have faith you will do it, and I shall help you.’
So said Merlin to Utherpendragon, who replied: ‘I would not have Our Lord suffer any loss on my account, but you should know I leave all decisions to you.’
‘Consider, sire,’ said Merlin, ‘where you would most like the table to be.’
‘Wherever you wish,’ Utherpendragon replied.
‘Then have it made at Carduel in Wales. Bid the people of your kingdom gather to meet you there at Pentecost. Be prepared to distribute great gifts; and provide me with men who’ll do my bidding. And I’ll decide who are fit to sit there.’
The king sent his decree throughout the land, and Merlin departed and ordered the making of the table. And when Pentecost came, the king set off to Carduel in Wales and asked Merlin how he had fared; and he replied: ‘Very well, sire.’
So the people assembled at Carduel, and the king said: ‘Merlin, who will you choose to sit at this table?’
‘As for that,’ Merlin replied, ‘tomorrow you’ll see something entirely unexpected. I shall choose fifty of the worthiest men of the land; and once they’ve sat at that table they’ll have no desire to return to their homes or ever leave here. Then you’ll see in your table the significance of the other two, and of the empty seat.’
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