Prophecies of Merlin: The First English Translation of the 15th-Century Text

Reveals forgotten Arthurian lore hidden in the prophetic language of a medieval text

• Includes the story of Merlin’s birth as the son of a demon, how he was born already able to speak, how his magic ensured he was not killed by his babysitter, and details of his affair with the Lady of the Lake

• Shares stories of Percival’s first contact with the Grail and King Arthur’s connection with the legendary mystical king Prester John

• Includes early Welsh prophecies attributed to Merlin, prophecies compiled by historian Geoffrey of Monmouth, and the letter of Prester John that inspired Columbus

Maarten Haverkamp acquired a French book from 1498 titled The Prophecies of Merlin that claimed to be prophecies given by the legendary magician. The book was really a compilation of documents collected by an unknown 13th century monk. Working with John Matthews, Maarten spent five years translating the mysteries hidden in this obscure book.

Presenting their translation and commentary, the authors share forgotten stories of early Arthurian literature and magic. They share the tale of Merlin’s birth from a demon, how he was born able to speak, and how his magic ensured he was not killed by his guardian. Merlin’s affair with the Lady of the Lake is detailed, ending with his imprisonment in a tomb. Other stories include Percival’s first contact with the Grail and King Arthur’s connection with the mystical king Prester John. The authors show how The Prophecies of Merlin sheds new light on the world of King Arthur and the women who learned magic from Merlin.

To reveal the esoteric meaning of this work, the authors include Welsh prophecies attributed to Merlin (translated by John and Caitlín Matthews), other prophecies attributed to Merlin that were compiled by Geoffrey of Monmouth, and the original letter of Prester John that inspired the Polo family and Columbus to search for India.

Discovering a hitherto lost or forgotten book about Merlin and King Arthur is a rare event these days. Yet here the authors present a virtually forgotten and, to date, untranslated book, which includes much that is new—and exciting—about the legendary king and his magical adviser. Through their translation and insightful passage by passage commentary, they reveal secrets long hidden behind the obscure language of the prophetic utterances.

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.