My first introduction to the use of creative license and Celtic mythology came from the 1981 John Boorman film, Excalibur. It was a few years after its release, and I was 12 years old, watching it on T.V. I fell in love with the story. I wanted to be Guinevere, of course, with a happier ending where she and Lancelot lived happily ever after. And yet, I mostly wanted to know more about Morgana and Merlin and the magic of the dragon.
Fast forward a couple of decades, and that movie still holds a special place in my heart. More importantly though, it was my first introduction to the Arthurian Legends. Reading The Morte d’Arthur, by Alfred Lord Tennysion, quickly followed, and later, an English translation of Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain.
Monmouth’s account is interesting. I find that the chapters preceding those of Merlin and Arthur have a matter-of-factness to the narrative—a sharp contrast to the Arthurian sections. This is where things become a bit… fantastical. Where he’d spent half his book speaking of simple war, love, bravery, and revenge, Merlin appears, and Geoffrey tells of dragons and prophecy. It’s not hard to understand why many scholar’s believe much of Monmouth’s book is fictional.
Despite this, the enduring nature of Monmouth’s tale can’t be denied. His version of the Arthurian Legends has inspired eight hundred years of storytelling. I can only wonder what Geoffrey would think watching John Boorman’s film, but he’d have to be pleased that he’s achieved a kind of immortality. Who wouldn’t be thrilled to know that people are reading something you wrote almost a thousand years later?
What if?
Brainstorming various scenarios in the far distant future can be a lot of fun. One of my favourites asks: What if we lost all historical records older than the past 100 years or so? Imagine an archaeologist a thousand years from now, knowing nothing of the Ancient Celts, unearthing a copy of The Lord of the Rings. In the absence of all we know about the Celts and Bronze Age history, would Aragorn become that civilization’s King Arthur? How would they fit the megaliths into a Middle Earth mythology? Would Tolkien’s work be seen as a fictional retelling of actual historical events, much like Monmouth’s? It’s fun to think about.
With that said, I have immense respect for archaeology and the scholars who work tirelessly to decode history. The facts and evidence that they uncover are sacrosanct in my opinion, but the surrounding mysteries can be just as valuable. When I first read Tolkien’s quote above, it resonated because I agree with the idea that it’s the Celt’s mysterious nature that make it possible to mould and shape their mythology in infinite ways.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Merlin inspired Gandalf and King Arthur inspired Aragorn. However, Tolkien’s incredible talent managed to weave just enough historical truth through his stories. It almost seems plausible that perhaps there was a Middle Earth with Elves, Hobbits, and a golden ring of power. Tolkien and Monmouth both used imagination to fill in the gaps of history, and their stories will continue to resonate and inspire for generations.