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Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Masters Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

English

First Advisor

Vulić, Kathryn R., 1972-

Second Advisor

Loar, Christopher F.

Abstract

This paper explores the role of Merlin and magic in the writings of two early 13th century authors, Gerald of Wales and Robert de Boron, and seeks to outline more clearly the ambiguous figure of the priest-magician in the literature of this time period. Although scholars have thoroughly explored the relationship of magic, religion, and science in the High Middle Ages, little work has been done on the innovative moves these two writers make as they seek to navigate the nebulous space between medieval Catholicism and occult practice. Through a study of Gerald’s ethnographic and autobiographical works and Robert’s Arthurian prose cycle, I reveal the uses to which two writers put Merlin and the magical arts in their explicitly Christian political and cultural projects. While Gerald seeks to coopt the role of Merlin to further his own political and ecclesial rise in Angevin England, Robert imagines a sacral role for kingship that serves the eucharistic rite and so gives existential and spiritual purpose to Western European cultural identity. Both writers use Merlin and magical practice as tools to further their goals highlighting and further complicating the ambiguous relationship between religion and magic during the 12th and 13th centuries.

Type

Text

Keywords

Gerald of Wales, Robert de Boron, Merlin, Magic, Medieval Literature, 12th Century, 13th Century, Wales, the Angevin Empire, Arthurian Romance

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

1525196339

Subjects – Names (LCNAF)

Giraldus, Cambrensis, 1146?-1223?; Robert, de Boron, active 13th century; Merlin (Legendary character)

Subject – LCSH

Magic in literature; Literature, Medieval; Arthurian romances

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

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