merlin

“I don't know, maybe there are wolves in these woods.”
— Arthur to Merlin[src]

Wolves were large, carnivorous mammals of the dog family that lived and hunted in packs. They were common throughout Albion.

History

Arthur briefly considered that a wolf might be responsible for Camelot's animal attacks (The Lady of the Lake).

Morgana enchanted a pack of wolves who inhabited the Northern Plains when she took up residence in the Fortress of Ismere. She used them to guard Ismere's borders and to provide transportation by pulling sleds through snow (Arthur's Bane).

Appearances

Series 2
The Lady of the Lake (Mentioned only)
Series 3
The Castle of Fyrien (Mentioned only)
The Coming of Arthur: Part One (Mentioned only)
Series 5
Arthur's Bane: Part One
The Diamond of the Day: Part Two (Mentioned only)

In the Legend

Wolves were featured in Melion, a Breton lai about a knight in King Arthur's court who was transformed into a wolf by his traitorous wife. Melion was on a hunt with his wife and a squire when they came upon a beautiful stag. His wife longed for its meat, so Melion asked her to use a magical ring to turn him into a wolf so he could catch it for her. While he pursued the stag into the forest, his wife took his clothes and the ring, and eloped to Ireland with the squire.

When Melion returned and realised what his wife had done, he stowed away on a boat to Ireland. He suffered much persecution there due to his lupine form, driving him to form a pack with ten other wolves and begin killing people and livestock. The people complained to the King and the pack was killed; only Melion escaped.

Arthur eventually arrived in Ireland and Melion went to him. Arthur and his knights were surprised by Melion's tame and courtly behaviour, and kept him as a companion. They took Melion to the court of the King of Ireland, where he saw and attacked the squire who had left with his wife.

Knowing that Melion was a tame wolf, Arthur and his men investigated the reason for the attack and the squire confessed what he'd done. Melion's wife (who was the daughter of the King of Ireland) was forced to bring the magical ring to court and restore Melion to his human form. Melion considered punishing his wife by turning her into a wolf, but instead left her and returned to Britain with Arthur.

Gallery

See Also