The Prophecies of Merlin - by John Matthews & Maarten Haverkamp (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Reveals forgotten Arthurian lore hidden in the prophetic language of a medieval text

- Includes the story of Merlin's birth as the son of a demon, how he was born already able to speak, how his magic ensured he was not killed by his babysitter, and details of his affair with the Lady of the Lake

- Shares stories of Percival's first contact with the Grail and King Arthur's connection with the legendary mystical king Prester John

- Includes early Welsh prophecies attributed to Merlin, prophecies compiled by historian Geoffrey of Monmouth, and the letter of Prester John that inspired Columbus

Maarten Haverkamp acquired a French book from 1498 titled The Prophecies of Merlin that claimed to be prophecies given by the legendary magician. The book was really a compilation of documents collected by an unknown 13th century monk. Working with John Matthews, Maarten spent five years translating the mysteries hidden in this obscure book.

Presenting their translation and commentary, the authors share forgotten stories of early Arthurian literature and magic. They share the tale of Merlin's birth from a demon, how he was born able to speak, and how his magic ensured he was not killed by his guardian. Merlin's affair with the Lady of the Lake is detailed, ending with his imprisonment in a tomb. Other stories include Percival's first contact with the Grail and King Arthur's connection with the mystical king Prester John. The authors show how The Prophecies of Merlin sheds new light on the world of King Arthur and the women who learned magic from Merlin.

To reveal the esoteric meaning of this work, the authors include Welsh prophecies attributed to Merlin (translated by John and Caitlín Matthews), other prophecies attributed to Merlin that were compiled by Geoffrey of Monmouth, and the original letter of Prester John that inspired the Polo family and Columbus to search for India.

Discovering a hitherto lost or forgotten book about Merlin and King Arthur is a rare event these days. Yet here the authors present a virtually forgotten and, to date, untranslated book, which includes much that is new--and exciting--about the legendary king and his magical adviser. Through their translation and insightful passage by passage commentary, they reveal secrets long hidden behind the obscure language of the prophetic utterances.

Review Quotes

"A new Arthurian chronicle coming to light is rare and exciting. We are witnessing the emergence of something extraordinary. John Matthews's commentary gives us clear context and connects the original writing to the wider tradition, giving us both a helpful summary of the tradition and a way of locating the translation by Haverkamp within it. It is an essential text for those of us interested in the subject of Britain. Thoroughly recommended!"-- "Ian Rees, author of The Tree of Life and Death and The Way of Deep Magick"

"A valuable and fascinating addition to the Merlin corpus that, like the voice of Merlin himself, emerges from the mist when needed most. Here is mystery and poetry, prophecy and power, insight and inspiration, breathing new life into the ancient tales. A must-have for every Arthurian library."-- "Ari Berk, Ph.D., professor of folklore and myth at Central Michigan University"

"John Matthews and Maarten Haverkamp have accomplished a historic feat in translating and elucidating a little-known Old French version of the prophecies of Merlin, the magician of ancient Celtic lore and legend. A large part of the book consists of a wealth of valuable elucidatory and background material. In the prophecies themselves, skillfully presented by the two scholars, the spirit of Merlin comes alive and speaks to us loud and clear across the centuries."-- "Christopher McIntosh, author of The Call of the Old Gods, Occult Russia, and Occult Germany"

"John Matthews and Maarten Haverkamp take us on an incredible 500-year journey from 1498 when The Prophecies of Merlin was first written in Old French, based on stories from a few hundred years earlier. For those of us who love the stories of King Arthur and Merlin, this awesome resource of 89 prophecies binds together these ancient and beloved stories while adding new stories from antiquity in a most fascinating manner. A most valuable resource."-- "Nicholas E. Brink, Ph.D., author of The Power of Ecstatic Trance, Ecstatic Soul Retrieval, and Beowu"

"John Matthews's and Maarten Haverkamp's The Prophecies of Merlin is a gem for esotericists and historians alike. Not only is Haverkamp's translation splendidly accessible, but Matthews's commentary illuminates and provides extra substance-- and some sparkle!-- without the slightest stodginess or obscurity. This is a serious and highly recommended addition to the whole field of Arthurian studies."-- "Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince, authors of When God Had a Wife and The Templar Revelation"

"Merlin, in his various manifestations in literature and lore, has long been the voice of wisdom and vision, the open door between the struggling world of humanity and the Otherworld of spirit. In this rare and wondrous book, the authors have opened that door widely and given Merlin's voice a new clarity. This is a treasure!"-- "David Spangler, Findhorn Fellow, author of Partnering with Spirit and Diary of an Avatar"

"This fine work, with its perceptive analysis of the state of the Merlin tradition in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, provides an important addendum to the seer's influence throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. Among many other things, it illustrates just how influential a figure Merlin remained well into the Renaissance. Public fascination with his legend continues seemingly unabated today, and this handsomely produced edition will undoubtedly add to that fascination."-- "Nikolai Tolstoy, historian, biographer, and author of The Quest for Merlin"

About the Author

John Matthews has made a lifetime study of every aspect of the Arthurian legends, from their origins to modern retellings. He has published more than 100 titles on myth, folklore, and ancient traditions, and he won a BAFTA for his work on the movie King Arthur (2004). Among his many authored and coauthored titles are The Book of Merlin, The Complete King Arthur, and The Lost Book of the Grail.

Maarten Haverkamp is a senior lecturer/researcher at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. An avid collector of rare medieval books for more than 20 years, his years of translation work and collaboration with John Matthews have culminated in the completion of the first English translation of a rare text nearly forgotten for more than 500 years.