Root Word Lycan

It is interesting to note, that Merlin was said to have 'shapeshifting' capabilities. The popular version of his, so called 'madness' is that, his team lost the round in a decisive battle, where many of his fellows were killed. He was so terrified of it, he ran 'wild' into the woods of Calidonia(northern Scotland), and remained there, living among the animals. Had it ever occured to anyone, that he might have been part 'beast'? There is another, earlier version of Merlin. One 'Lailoken', who also prophesied, read auguries, wrote poetry and was born in the same locality, at the same time. They are so closely akin, that they are considered by scholars of the subject to be one and the same. Lailoken could take many shapes, and in one tale, he was magically changed into a swan...in which form he had to remain for hundreds of years. Just a story, right? But what if there's more to the tale, than myth? In the old Celtic tales, the early people were continually 'shapeshifting', becoming this and that...through the aid of magic, that is now, only legend. What if, the Celtic hero's and wizards and Kings could do things with words of magic, that are now only imagined? What if the world age they lived in 'allowed' these impossible acts? Because, history takes a turn, and I have cornered one such 'turn' in the 'valley of Alth Clud(Valley of Strathclyde, Scotland), in or around the fifth century AD. When King Roderrch Hael, also called 'Howl', in some annals, ruled Dumbarton Rock on the Clyde River of Scotland, Merlin also frequented that administrative fortress of the Kingdom. The Kingdom was then called, Alt Clud, same as Dumbarton Rock and castle. King Hael or Howl, was called 'The Generous', by Saint Kentigern, the Bishop prick of Glasgow. But I guess he would seem 'generous'  to the Bishop of Glasgow, who had received land from the King for free. Many of the men important to the history of King Rodderch Hael, surrounding him, had a patronymic name involving 'Clud' or Glwyd, and yet history makes bare mention of their involvement with King Rodderch Hael, or Merlin...who was there, embedded and deeply involved in, not only the poetic and prophetic levels recorded, by our ancestor's, but the very political heart of the Kingom of Alth Cluid, at that time. According to some tales of King Rodderch Hael's exploits, he and his sons, and or brothers, or male family members were vicious, beastly animals, that would tear apart any adversary, or opponent. Hael, himself, was said 'to howl', at victorious court assembly's. Here's my consideration...just a thought. King Hael was indeed a beast, of a family of same, and Merlin, family or no...perhaps part of a tribe? All bearing unmistakable characteristics of 'lycanthropy'. They were 'werewolves'.

Lycan or lycanthropy, is not a new phenomena dreamed up in the movies to scare late night television watchers. There are men who wrote on the subject...seriously. But like witchcraft, it is hardly understood, and remains mostly hidden of fear and ignorance. 'Grimm', the popular television series, is a case in point...to the popularity of the subject of 'shapeshifting' creatures, of various kinds. In the tv series, the 'vessen', or shifters are of varied kinds and varied temperaments. Some are very bad, and some are benign and helpful to humans and other's of their kind. I place Merlin in the latter, and Hael and his henchmen in the former. I can't stuff this all into one short page of 'what if', but suffice to say, I will publish more along the way. This is but a breadcrumb, a hint of what may come. In the notes below from wikipedia, I supply some idea of the subject of 'lycan-thropy', or the phenomena of man turning to beast...and woman, equal time. Study it. Don't gobble, and don't snarl. Consider the possibilities of where these suggestions lead. It isn't just little me and a 'giant throbbing ego'! No, there's more at root here than that. There's history, whether you know it or believe it...or not. Enjoy.

I welcome constructive ideas and comments...nothing 'beastly' please...


Written by Bruce James Clyde 2016, at Deming, New Mexico

Art: Werewolf, google

Notes:

Werewolf

Mythical creature

A werewolf, man-wolf, or lycanthrope is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or a therianthropic hybrid wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse or affliction.Wikipedia

Based on: Gray wolf

Mythological Origin: Europe

Lycaon (Arcadia)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the Trojan Lycaon, see Lycaon (Troy).

Zeus turning Lycaon into a wolf; engraving byHendrik Goltzius.

In Greek mythology, Lycaon (/laɪˈkeɪɒn/; Greek: Λυκάων) was a king of Arcadia, son of Pelasgus and Meliboea, who, in the most popular version of the myth, tested Zeus by serving him the roasted flesh of his son Nyctimus, in order to see whether Zeus was truly omniscient. In return for these gruesome deeds, Zeus transformed Lycaon and his offspring into the forms of a wolf; Nyctimus was restored to life.

Lailoken

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lailoken was a semi-legendary madman and prophet who lived in the Caledonian Forest in the late 6th century. The Life of Saint Kentigern mentions "a certain foolish man, who was called Laleocen" living at or near the village of Peartnach (Partick) within the Kingdom of Strathclyde. Laleocen prophesied the death of King Rhydderch Hael.

As a wild man and seer living in the forests of what is now southern Scotland, Lailoken is often identified with Myrddin Wyllt, the Welsh forerunner of the Arthurian wizardMerlin. Myrddin is particularly associated with the Battle of Arfderydd in Cumberland (now Cumbria) and the area just to the north, over the border in modern Scotland; Myrddin fought for the losing side and, after the battle, went insane. There was also a late 15th-century story Lailoken and Kentigern which states: "...some say he was calledMerlynum".

Romulus and Remus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Capitoline Wolf. Traditional scholarship says the wolf-figure is Etruscan, 5th century BC, with figures of Romulus and Remus added in the 15th century AD by Antonio Pollaiuolo. Recent studies suggest that the wolf may be a medieval sculpture dating from the 13th century AD.^[1]

Romulus /ˈrɒmjᵿləs/ and Remus /ˈriːməs/ were the twin brothers and main characters of Rome's foundation myth. (The pronunciation in English is different from the Latin original Rōmulus and Rĕmus). According to Roman tradition, of which Livy's account is now the earliest to survive in full, their mother was Rhea Silvia, daughter of Numitor, king of Alba Longa. Before their conception, Numitor's brotherAmulius seized power, killed Numitor's male heirs and forced Rhea Silvia to become a Vestal Virgin, sworn to chastity. Rhea Silvia conceived the twins by the god Mars. Once the twins were born, Amulius had them abandoned to die in the Tiber river. They were saved by a series of miraculous interventions: the river carried them to safety, a she-wolf found and suckled them, and a woodpecker fed them.A shepherd and his wife found them and fostered them to manhood as simple shepherds. The twins, still ignorant of their true origins, proved to be natural leaders. Each acquired many followers. When they discovered the truth of their birth, they killed Amulius and restored Numitor to his throne. Rather than wait to inherit Alba Longa, they chose to found a new city.