The Prophecies of Merlin

“This fine work, with its perceptive analysis of the state of the Merlin tradition in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, provides an important addendum to the seer’s influence throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. Among many other things, it illustrates just how influential a figure Merlin remained well into the Renaissance. Public fascination with his legend continues seemingly unabated today, and this handsomely produced edition will undoubtedly add to that fascination.” * Nikolai Tolstoy, historian, biographer, and author of The Quest for Merlin *“John Matthews and Maarten Haverkamp have accomplished a historic feat in translating and elucidating a little-known Old French version of the prophecies of Merlin, the magician of ancient Celtic lore and legend. A large part of the book consists of a wealth of valuable elucidatory and background material. In the prophecies themselves, skillfully presented by the two scholars, the spirit of Merlin comes alive and speaks to us loud and clear across the centuries.” * Christopher McIntosh, author of The Call of the Old Gods, Occult Russia, and Occult Germany *“John Matthews’s and Maarten Haverkamp’s The Prophecies of Merlin is a gem for esotericists and historians alike. Not only is Haverkamp’s translation splendidly accessible, but Matthews’s commentary illuminates and provides extra substance— and some sparkle!— without the slightest stodginess or obscurity. This is a serious and highly recommended addition to the whole field of Arthurian studies.” * Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince, authors of When God Had a Wife and The Templar Revelation *“A valuable and fascinating addition to the Merlin corpus that, like the voice of Merlin himself, emerges from the mist when needed most. Here is mystery and poetry, prophecy and power, insight and inspiration, breathing new life into the ancient tales. A must-have for every Arthurian library.” * Ari Berk, Ph.D., professor of folklore and myth at Central Michigan University *“John Matthews and Maarten Haverkamp take us on an incredible 500-year journey from 1498 when The Prophecies of Merlin was first written in Old French, based on stories from a few hundred years earlier. For those of us who love the stories of King Arthur and Merlin, this awesome resource of 89 prophecies binds together these ancient and beloved stories while adding new stories from antiquity in a most fascinating manner. A most valuable resource.” * Nicholas E. Brink, Ph.D., author of The Power of Ecstatic Trance, Ecstatic Soul Retrieval, and Beowu *“A new Arthurian chronicle coming to light is rare and exciting. We are witnessing the emergence of something extraordinary. John Matthews’s commentary gives us clear context and connects the original writing to the wider tradition, giving us both a helpful summary of the tradition and a way of locating the translation by Haverkamp within it. It is an essential text for those of us interested in the subject of Britain. Thoroughly recommended!” * Ian Rees, author of The Tree of Life and Death and The Way of Deep Magick *“Merlin, in his various manifestations in literature and lore, has long been the voice of wisdom and vision, the open door between the struggling world of humanity and the Otherworld of spirit. In this rare and wondrous book, the authors have opened that door widely and given Merlin’s voice a new clarity. This is a treasure!” * David Spangler, Findhorn Fellow, author of Partnering with Spirit and Diary of an Avatar *“Absolutely fascinating, The Prophecies of Merlin by co-authors John Matthews and Maarten Haverkamp is a ‘must read’ study and essential acquisition for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Metaphysical Studies collections and supplemental Arthurian Studies curriculum lists. Informatively enhanced for the reader’s benefit with Foreword by R. J. Stewart, four appendices (including The Tale of Prester John & The Letter of Prester John), a four page listing of Sources and Further Reading, and a six page Index.” * Midwest Book Reviews *

John Matthews has made a lifetime study of every aspect of the Arthurian legends, from their origins to modern retellings. He has published more than 100 titles on myth, folklore, and ancient traditions, and he won a BAFTA for his work on the movie King Arthur (2004). Among his many authored and coauthored titles are The Book of Merlin, The Complete King Arthur, and The Lost Book of the Grail.

Maarten Haverkamp (1964–2025) was a senior lecturer/researcher at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. An avid collector of rare medieval books for more than 20 years, his years of translation work and collaboration with John Matthews culminated in the completion of the first English translation of a rare text nearly forgotten for more than 500 years.