Re: Merlin - elements of the original legends

[Susan and Ken Reed <nachtanz@patriot.net>]

Poster: Susan and Ken Reed <nachtanz@patriot.net>

>Poster: David KUIJT <kuijt@umiacs.umd.edu>
>> Poster: Heather Swann <heather@pop.net>
>>
>> Wouldst mind pointing me in the direction of some of these earlier
>> myths?  The earliest reference I've seen for her is Spenser or
>> Shakespeare.....
>>
>> My humble thanks!
>>
>> Miri
>
>Several of the Arthurian and proto-Arthurian legends appear in the
>Mabinogion.  For those who aren't familiar with it, the Mabinogion is a
>collection of Welsh myths and is 500-700 years pre-Shakespeare.  It is
>also a very interesting read.
>
>The Mabinogion is available in a number of popular translations these days
>-- you can probably find it at Crown Books/Borders/whatever.
>
>Dafydd ap Gwystl ap Llewelyn ap Cadwaladr ap Gwyl

Dafydd,

I thought I was very familiar with the _Mabinogion_, having read most of
its stories scores of times and studying them in considerable depth, but I
cannot recall seeing a single reference to "Queen Mab" or any female
character called "Mab." Could you be more specific about where she appears?

There is, however, a rather prominent character in "Culhwch and Olwen"
called Mabon ap Modron, or "Son, son of Mother"; he is very definitely male
and his associations are a different kettle of salmon indeed ;-). It would
easy to see how the names could become confused.

Just curious,
Teleri

******
Susan and Ken Reed               AFPOPA           nachtanz@patriot.net
                      http://www.patriot.net/users/nachtanz/
                                                                -------
R K Architects                 http://patriot.net/~nachtanz/RKTects/
Green & Burning Tree          http://patriot.net/~nachtanz/GBT/


=======================================================================
List Archives, FAQ, FTP:  http://merryrose.atlantia.sca.org/
            Submissions:  atlantia@atlantia.sca.org
        Admin. requests:  majordomo@atlantia.sca.org