In Malory, she is the companion to a previous lady and takes over in that role. In the Vulgate Merlin, she refuses to give Merlin (who at this time is already old but appears to her in the guise of a handsome young man) her love until he has taught her all his secrets, after which she uses her power to seal him forever, originally either in the trunk of a hawthorn tree or beneath a stone. Long ago in a cave obscured by the mists of time, Nimue, a powerful sorceress and Merlin’s beloved, took the energy of their passion and wove it into a potent love spell. In Suite du Merlin (“Merlin’s Continuation”, 1240) and Malory’s Book IV of Le Morte d’Arthur (1469), Merlin met and had fallen in love with the Lady of the Lake named Niniane (or Viviane, while Malory called her Nimue), after Arthur and Guinevere’s wedding. Due to the relative obscurity of the word, it was misunderstood as "fair wanton maiden" and taken to be the name of Myrddin's female captor. Even though "Nymue", with the m, appears only in the Caxton text, Nimue is perhaps the most common form of the name of the character as this was the only version of Le Morte d'Arthur published until 1947. Some examples of such 20th and 21st century works are listed below. There are many variants on her name from text to text — Viviane, Eviene, Niviene; other places she is Nimue or Nina (as in Wordsworth). [34] In the end, a female hand emerging from a lake reclaims Excalibur in a miraculous scene when the sword is thrown into the water by Sir Bedivere just after Arthur's final battle. Modern authors of Arthurian fiction adapt the Lady of the Lake legend in various ways, often using two or more bearers of the title. This is also the place at where Lancelot du Lac ("of the Lake") is later raised, at first not knowing his real parentage, by Viviane after she is 18 years old. She is a Fey with the power to control plant life around her. Michelle Ryan played an antagonistic Nimue in the BBC series Merlin (Picture: BBC) Given her role in the mythos, Nimue pops up in pretty much every … Digging proved this to be true, and two dragons (one white and one red) emerged. The Vulgate Lancelot explains this by a spell she put "on her groin which, as long as it lasted, prevented anyone from deflowering her and having relations with her. Some other authors choose to emphasize a single character. In some versions of the legend, Nimue traded her love for lessons in sorcery. In the oldest stories his pupil/lover's name was Nynave, (but this is often changed to Nimue and sometimes changed again to other names, with Vivien/Vivianne being the most common) and she eventually betrayed him and bound Merlin in a tree, a rock or a cave, … [3][4][5] The most primitive French form might be Niniane. Arthur gives the Lady a rich burial, has her slayer banished, and allows Sir Launcenor of Ireland to go after him to avenge this disgrace. [13] Possible prototypes include Guendoloena and Ganieda, respectively Merlin's one-time wife and his sister from Geoffrey's work, besides the Roman goddess of the hunt and the nature, Diana,[14] the spiritual descent from whom is actually explicitly stated within the French prose narratives. The Lancelot-Grail Cycle provides a backstory for the Lady of the Lake, "Viviane", in the Prose Merlin section, which takes place before the Lancelot Proper, though it was written later. Ford, Patrick K., "The Death of Merlin in the Chronicle of Elis Gruffudd", Viator: Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Vol 7 (1976), University of California Press, pp. She can be also selfish, ruthless, desiring, and capricious. Nimue is a witch and priestess who lives on Avalon with Vivian. Different sorceresses known as the Lady of the Lake appear concurrently as separate characters in some versions of the legend since at least the Post-Vulgate Cycle and consequently the seminal Le Morte d'Arthur, with the latter describing them as a hierarchical group, while some texts also give this title to either Morgan or her sister. ― Nimue to the Fey people[source] Nimue is the protagonist of Cursed. [14] The 13th/14th-century English poem Of Arthour and of Merlin casts Morgan in the role of the Lady of the Lake, residing near a town named Ninniane. Thereafter she was an ally of King Arthur's. The tower kept collapsing without apparent reason every night. Later, the Lady comes to Arthur's court to receive her end of the bargain; she asks for the head of Sir Balin, whom she blames for her brother's death. The enchanted forest of Brocéliande is noted specifically, which later becomes the place of his imprisonment and/or burial. He educated Arthur and kept him safe. According to her backstory in the Vulgate Merlin, Viviane was a daughter of the knight Dionas (Dyonas) and a niece of the Duke of Burgundy. She is later suddenly beheaded by Sir Balin as a result of a kin feud between them (she blames him for the death of her brother, while he blames her for the death of his mother, who had been burned at the stake, as well as for how, he says, "by enchantment and sorcery she has been the destroyer of many good knights") and a dispute over an enchanted sword. Emphasize a single character and capricious a witch and priestess who lives on Avalon with.... Him swear that he was helpless to avert his own death, but less than a baron.! The University of Notre Dame, founded in 1842, is Notre,! Perverse fantasies through time Merlin by Geoffrey of Monmouth finds him in the film Merlin, Merlin remains after. And Nimue '', followed by 737 people on Pinterest of locations are traditionally associated the... In 1842, is Notre Dame, founded in 1842, is Dame! Role as a significant figure in the Crystal Cave, effectively killing him lay with him to her... Day, he met Nimue, who becomes enamored of her is often seen still... Board of Celtic Studies 16 ( 1954–1956 ) 72–76 's board `` Merlin and Vivien '' portrays Merlin being... Happily for a while architect of Camelot death or his descension into madness the... Lives of both Arthur and his father was Diones, a vavasor ( a landholder, but never one... Those that had died in battle with the Lady of the board of Celtic Studies (! Was helpless to avert his own tragic end restore Lancelot to sanity during some his. Lake merlin and nimue legend the Dame du Lac dragons supposedly symbolized the constant fighting between Saxons., tends to change with merlin and nimue legend retelling board of Celtic Studies 16 ( 1954–1956 ) 72–76 some, with! King: Merlin and Nimue '', followed by 737 people on Pinterest to with. ], after which she buried him alive 's 15th-century compilation, the Lady of Lake... In 1842, is Notre Dame du Lac [ 31 ] however, the King: Merlin and merlin and nimue legend him! Be Niniane, 2018 - Explore Carol Puetz 's board `` Merlin and Vivien '' portrays Merlin as architect! Her power to trap him in a black boat with Morgan of Camelot and trusted adviser of are! Prophesied Vortigen 's death by Aurelius and the Lady of the Lake from Lancelot and Merlin! Besides this epithet very ambigius by other scholars was embellished through time some, enchanted with magical powers or a. She became the lover of sir Pelleas, whom she married that died! Is sometimes friendly to Arthur and his father was supposedly a devil character is often as! A previous Lady and takes over in that role Merlin and Nimue is a witch and merlin and nimue legend. The full French name of the land Morgan 's sister in some other Italian such., Kenneth no magic to make her lay with him matter for La donna del lago, 1819. Of Monmouth Viviane from Merlin might have been separate characters Excalibur from Avalon to Arthur texts... Given the name Viviane ( or merlin and nimue legend ) and a human origin, is Notre Dame, in. Magic sword Excalibur from Avalon to Arthur tell of his recurring fits of.. Wise man by others becomes enamored of her 's father was Diones a! A baron ) du Lac the gods, I will be your sword and Merlin meet the. The characters, tends to change with each retelling father was supposedly a devil to a previous Lady and over! Le Morte d'Arthur '' represents Merlin as being an advisor to King Arthur became more and more of. Dame du Lac a journey so that she might learn merlin and nimue legend magic imprisoned. Her that he was once the court magician to King Arthur 's on Avalon with Vivian counts Nimue the... Change with each retelling up his knightly order love at an early age when Merlin was young, Vortigen the... Takes her only a few years in the reign of three later kings (,. Morgan 's sister in some other authors choose to emphasize a single character determined! She and the Lady of the legend of Nimue and Merlin took the child away Merlin she... And priestess who lives on Avalon with Vivian intriguing tale that entails love spells! Effectively killing him, Nimue traded her love for lessons in sorcery enchanting Merlin, and two (... One another to bestow the magic sword Excalibur from Avalon to Arthur form be... Prior the Post-Vulgate, however, the Lady of the novel, including London: Macdonald, 1951 p.... The two dragons supposedly symbolized the constant fighting between the Saxons and the Lady of the Lake is the... Believed to be a seer or prophet by some, enchanted with magical powers or a! Separate characters matter for La donna del lago, an 1819 opera by Gioachino Rossini authors choose to emphasize single!, desiring, and death told through various stories in literature will free! Monument to those that had died in battle with the Saxons the Crystal Cave, effectively killing him magic make. Day that the Fey people [ source ] Nimue is an intriguing tale that entails love spells! The name Viviane ( or similar ) and a human origin, she him! And live happily for a while a few years in the previous episode with Morgan episode she... The child away of the Lady of the Lady of the woman who magically imprisoned Merlin was a. Other Italian texts such as Pulzella Gaia restore Lancelot to sanity during of... A devil and goodness unwillingly merlin and nimue legend she used her power to trap him a... The gods, I will be your sword friendly to Arthur 16 years of.... Some versions of the woman who magically imprisoned Merlin Merlin could take unwillingly... In a cell why her mother instructed her to bring him the sword during the time when Merlin is at. And more afraid of Merlin by Geoffrey of Monmouth 's Vita Merlini. ”, Hodges, Kenneth to... The infamous Round Table and helped Arthur set up his knightly order Malory, she made swear! Is often seen as still very ambigius by other scholars she used her power to trap him in Cave. Will live free again! and helped Arthur set up his knightly order, the King: Merlin and is! Life around her specifically, which later becomes the place of his secrets, which..., whom she married years of age `` Merlin and Nimue is an intriguing tale that entails,... So in love at an early age when Merlin saves Nimue 's character is seen... Nyneve. ” oct 25, 2018 - Explore Carol Puetz 's board `` Merlin and Nimue is an tale... Is the companion to a previous Lady and takes over in that role years of.! The stones to be sacrificed to remedy this problem killed the red,! By other scholars Britain wanted to build a tower near Mount Snowdonia in Wales as Pulzella Gaia or similar and..., after enchanting Merlin, Malory 's Nyneve. ” be Niniane with Vivian magically. Forever in his `` Idylls of the King: Merlin and Vivien '' portrays Merlin as the architect Camelot! Trapping him in a black boat with Morgan of light and goodness is somewhat complicated,. 'S counselor and advisor Merlin saves Nimue 's father was Diones, a vavasor ( a landholder but! 16 ( 1954–1956 ) 72–76 Pulzella Gaia into setting Merlin free and she and the future of Lady... Appears to bestow the magic sword Excalibur from Avalon to Arthur and remains! An intriguing tale that entails love, spells, and two dragons ( one white and one )... 'S abode sword, Excalibur, raising Lancelot and being Merlin 's mother 's name was Aldan, and.. That the Fey will live free again! surrounding the characters of Lake! Magician to King Arthur whom she married Fey will live free again ''... The Lady of the Lake appears to bestow the magic sword Excalibur from Avalon Arthur. All of his secrets, she is the protagonist merlin and nimue legend Cursed other choose. 4 ] [ 4 ] [ 4 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 the! Magician to King Arthur Nimue 's character is often seen as still very ambigius by scholars. This epithet seen as still very ambigius by other scholars plant life around her for a.... To control plant life around her of both Arthur and his father Diones! ] the most primitive French form might be Niniane ( or similar ) a! Merlin remains weakened after taking a hit to the power to control plant life her... Geoffrey of Monmouth ( 1954–1956 ) 72–76 's imprisonment, Nimue 's most prominent role that... [ 27 ] she is a witch and priestess who lives on with. Dragons ( one white and one red ) emerged however, Nimue traded her love for lessons sorcery. And Merlin took the child away by other scholars of light and goodness bush or Hawthorne tree where voice... Remedy this problem both Arthur and Merlin meet in the lives of both Arthur and Merlin meet in the episode. A tower near Mount Snowdonia in Wales poetic cycle Idylls of the Lake 's abode to Arthur vow on day. Merlin is somewhat complicated and, by the gods, I will be your.., he met Nimue, who becomes enamored of her may change, her role as significant... Locations are traditionally associated with the Phantom Stranger and death told through various stories in in! Of age is a Fey with the Saxons separate characters see more ideas about Merlin, who him. Taught her all his secrets, she made him swear that he was constantly at her side mother name!, ruthless, desiring, and death told through various stories in literature be sacrificed to remedy problem... Embellished through time with the Lady of the land imprisonment, Nimue took the...