Images

An illustration of King Arthur drawing the enchanted sword Excalibur from the sword. From the Vulgate Cycle manuscript (1316 CE) in the British Library, London.

Merlin showing King Vortigern (c. 5th Century CE) the dragons beneath his castle. From the Vulgate Cycle manuscript (1316 CE) in the British Library, London.

A stained glass window depicting St. Julian of Norwich (c. 1342 - c. 1416 CE) in prayer. From the Norwich Cathedral in England.

A statue of St. Julian of Norwich (c. 1342 - c. 1416 CE) in the Norwich Cathedral, England.

A page from The Book of Margery Kempe, probably copied from the original c. 1440 CE. This work was first dictated by Margery Kempe (c. 1373 - c. 1438 CE) in the mid 15th Century CE and may be the oldest surviving English biography. This...

A detail of a miniature portraying God opening Hell, in which devils gather and plot to create an evil being by fathering a child on a mortal woman. This child, through baptism and blessings, is made good and grows up to be the wizard Merlin...

A map of Gyaros, a barren island in the Cyclades. Gyaros' remote, desolate location inspired its use as a place of exile during Antiquity, and has been used for this purpose in more recent history.

A detail from an illustration of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus (c. 50 CE- c. 130 CE) as imagined in a 15th Century CE scientific manuscript. The manuscript recounts an anachronistic discussion between the Roman emperor Hadrian (r. 117 -...

A detail of a 14th Century CE illustration of Roman de Brut, a legendary history by the Norman poet Wace (c. 1110 - c. 1170 CE). Merlin is depicted directing the giants to build Stonehenge. The Anglo-Norman manuscript containing this illustration...

A detail of an illustration from a 14th Century CE manuscript of Roman de Brut, a legendary history of Britain by the Norman poet Wace (c. 1110 - c. 1170 CE). The young Merlin is depicted, alongside his mother, approaching King Vortigern...