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The Rest Is History · October 18, 2026 · 1h 4m

715. King Arthur: The Mysteries of Merlin (Part 3)

Dominic Sandbrook, Tom Holland

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook continue their series on King Arthur by exploring the origins of Merlin, the legendary wizard. The episode examines the role of Geoffrey of Monmouth in shaping the Arthurian legends, discusses whether Merlin was inspired by a real historical figure from the 5th-century Saxon invasion of Britain, and considers the significance of the Battle of Badon within this mythic framework.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Preview

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Merlin's possible historical basis
The episode investigates whether Merlin was based on a real historical figure from the Saxon invasion of Britain in the 5th century.
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Geoffrey of Monmouth's role in shaping the Arthurian legends
Geoffrey of Monmouth is examined as the writer who significantly developed the tales of Arthur and introduced Merlin as a powerful wizard.
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