Merlin, The Occult and British Politics
Dan Snow's History Hit
History Hit
4.7 • 13.7K Ratings
🗓️ 8 May 2024
⏱️ 33 minutes
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Summary
Who was the real Merlin? Dr Francis Young says the closest is John Dee, Elizabeth I's occultist advisor who gave her the idea for a British Empire. Dee believed it was her destiny to rule the New World - from his supposed conversations with angels - and that she could trace her lineage back to King Arthur. His mystical and astrological calculations influenced her decision to take on the Spanish.
So, the Philosopher's Stone, the occult and spell books aren't just in fantasy novels but very real things that have determined the decisions of those in the highest seats of power throughout Britain's history for centuries. Dan is joined by Dr Young, a historian and folklorist specialising in the history of religion and belief who takes Dan through a potted history of magic and magical advisors from the Middle Ages to the Victorians.
Dr Francis Young's book is called 'Magic in Merlin's Realm.'
Produced by James Hickmann, and Mariana Des Forges and edited by Anisha Deva.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Halifax presents, bad move, good move. |
| 0:03.5 | Bad move, trusting your other half to put up shelves to hold the China your lovely Nan left you. |
| 0:09.0 | Oh yeah, jobs are gooden. Oops. |
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| 0:17.0 | Joining the one in five first-time buyers who choose a Halifax mortgage. |
| 0:20.0 | Halifax, the home of first-time buyers. |
| 0:23.0 | Halifax first-time buyer mortgage completion volume is a percentage of total market, December |
| 0:27.9 | 2022 to November 2023. |
| 0:30.0 | This week's episode of History here is brought to you by AirB&B. |
| 0:37.0 | And with Summer just around the corner, I like you, listeners, |
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| 1:30.6 | UK slash host. |
| 1:31.8 | Hi buddy welcome to Dan Snow's history. In the myth of Arthur the good king is |
| 1:38.0 | brave he's just he's strong in battle one of his greatest attributes not its greatest strengths is the man at his side, |
... |
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