Celtic Gods: The Cymric Hero, Myrddin Emrys (Madman, Ambrosius)

Myrddin Emrys
A Cymric Arthurian Hero, also known as Merlin, Merlinus Ambrosius, Myrrddin Embrys, Myrddin Embreis: Madman, Ambrosius

Myrddin Emrys (Merlin, Merlinus Ambrosius, Myrrddin Embrys, Myrddin Embreis) is a Cymric (Welsh) Arthurian hero first named by Giraldus Cambrensis in his Itinerarium Cambriae and occurs due to Geoffrey of Monmouth's subsitution of Merlin for Amborsius Aurelianus in his Historia Regum Brittonum.



Synonyms: Merlin, Merlinus Ambrosius, Myrrddin Embrys, Myrddin Embreis
Cym, Goi: Madman, Ambrosius

Myrddin Emrys is first named by Giraldus Cambrensis in his Itinerarium Cambriae where he makes a distinction between two Myrddins: Merlinus Ambrosius (Myrddin Emrys) and Merlinus Celidonius who is also known as Merlinus Sylvester (Myrddin Wyllt). This was an attempt at reconciling the Merlin of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Brittonum with the Myrddin Wyllt of Cymric tradition. Tough the early Cymric bards (eg Rhys Goch Fychan) also made a distinction between Myrddin ap Morfryn and Myrddin Emrys.

The confusion stems from the substitution of Merlin in Geoffrey's Historia Regum Brittonum for Nennius' Ambrosius Aurelianus in the context of the folk-tale of the Dragons of Dinas Emrys. A further conflation, both with Nennius' Ambrosius Aurelianus fatherless birth and the fatherless birth of Cynderyn (Kenitgerg) as described in the Annales Cambriae is ascribed by Geoffrey to his Merlin. This probably explains why Triad 87 of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein names both Myrddin Emrys and Myrddin fab Morfryn as two of the 'Three Skilful Bards at Arthur's Court' (the other being Taliesin). Obviously this triad is post-Galfridian and shows the influence of Geoffrey of Monmouth both in equating Myrddin with Arthur and in naming and distinguishing between the two Myrddins.

One final allusion to Myrddin Emrys comes from an (unfortunately corrupt) text in the Englynion y Beddau (Stanzas of the Graves) section of Peniarth MS 98B.

Bedd Annap lleian ymnewais fynydd
lluagor llew ymrais
prif ddewin Merddin Embrais

The misfortune of a nun on Mount Newais
impregnated by the lion-strength of a host
Chief wizard, Myrddin Ambrosius

This, of course, is a re-telling of Geoffrey of Monmouth's tale of his Merlin's miraculous conception and birth by a nun though again it is interesting that the point is made that the Myrddin/Merlin referredd to is Myrddin Emrys and not the Myrddin Wyllt of the native tradition.



Couldn't find what you were looking for? Search the web:



stefan and zogo small One Million People Campaign
If you can spare $1 then help support this site and change someone's life forever? Learn how and why on the One Million People campaign page. Or donate $10 and get my Guide to Spices or The Recipes of Africa eBooks as a gift for your donation!