Merlin is a legend, but legends seldom come from nothing. His true story sheds light on the vibrant world of 6th century Scotland through an intriguing interplay of who, where, when, what and why. Merlin's lifetime was one of the most dynamic and dramatic periods of our history when the elements which were to form Scotland were beginning to come together - a time when tribal society based on a clan system and pagan belief was challenged by the coming of Christianity. Historians dismiss this period as devoid of credibility because of a lack of cross-checkable written evidence. They claim that the strict oral rules of rhythmic syntax and rote-learning of the Celtic bards are less reliable than the handwriting of Anglo-Saxon clerics. But, by embracing the interplay of fact and legend, and testing against new archaeological discovery, a foundation of credible probability is emerging. This book seeks to uncover the truth, but the challenge is for you, reader, to decide between fact and fiction. |
