he killed the fierce hound
of Culain the smith, which
had attacked him. He then
promised to guard Culain’s
forge until he could find a
new dog, thus earning him
the nickname of Cuchu-
lain (“Hound of Culain”),
by which he was known
for the rest of his life.
By 17, Cuchulain was
the greatest warrior of Ulster, bringing back the heads
of three enemies on his first day of battle. A handsome
and powerful youth, he courted Emer, daughter of
Forgall the Wily, who opposed the marriage. Hoping
he would get killed, Forgall sent Cuchulain off to learn
battle skills from Scatbach, a renowned female warrior.
But he was an apt pupil, and returned safely to marry
Emer and become one of the 12 Champions of the Red
Branch, the warriors of Conchobar.
Once, a giant named Terror challenged any hero
to chop off his head, provided he grant Terror the
same blow the next day. Only Cuchulian accepted,
cutting off the giant’s head in a single blow. But Terror
picked up his head and axe and left the hall, to return
the following morning. Cuchulian honorably laid his
head on the cutting block. The blow of the giant’s axe
fell harmlessly beside his ear, whereupon Terror
revealed himself as the wise Druid Curoi of Kerry, and
proclaimed Cuchulain the bravest Champion of the
Heroes of all Ireland, and Emer first among all the
women of Ulster.
Cuchulian defended Ulster single-handedly
against the armies of Queen Maeve in the famous
“Cattle Raid of Cooley.” Attacked by a dragon, he
thrust his arm down its throat, and tore out its heart.
At 29, Cuchulain finally met his end after a battle in
which he displayed his usual gallantry but was
overcome by treachery. Emer flung herself into his
grave and died of grief.Arthur (466-537 CE)
In 410 CE, the Romans
withdrew from Britain.
Vortigern claimed the throne,
inviting in Saxon mercenar-
ies. The Saxons turned to
marauding, and Uther
Pendragon, fighting
against them, rose to king-
ship. Disguised by the
Wizard Merlin as Gorlois,
Duke of Cornwall, Uther se-
duced his wife, Igraine, beget-
ting Arthur. Arthur grew up
at the castle of Sir Ector and
was tutored by Merlin. Afterthe death of Uther in 481, 15-year-old Arthur pulled a
legendary sword from a stone and was proclaimed High
King (Artorius Roithamus in Latin). After routing the
Saxons, he conquered the Picts, Scots and Irish.
As peace flourished, Arthur married Guinevere, re-
ceiving a great round table as a wedding gift from her
father. Arthur initiated the first order of Chivalry, holding
his magnificent court at Camelot. Men from all nations
answered the call to join the Knights of the Round Table,
who were sent off on the legendary Quest of the Holy
Grail. Merlin served as court Wizard and advisor, and
Britain rose to new levels of culture and wealth.
Eventually, however, tribute demands from Rome
drove Arthur into battle in Gaul, entrusting his king-
dom to the Queen and his bastard son, Modred. Dur-
ing Arthur’s absence, Mordred revolted, forcing
Arthur’s return to engage him. Arthur was mortally
wounded and carried off to the mystical Isle of Avalon
(Glaston-bury), where he died and was buried. On his
tombstone (excavated in 1190), the inscription read:
“Here lies interred in the Isle of Avalon the renowned
King Arthur.” Legend says that he will return in
England’s hour of need: “The Once and Future King.”Robin Hood (1160-1247)
Born in the village of
Locksley in Yorkshire, England,
Robin Hood was an outlaw who
lived and poached in the royal
forest of Sherwood, in Notting-
hamshire. Some say he was
Robin Fitzooth, son of the Earl of
Huntingdon, who returned from
the 3rd Crusade to find his land
stolen by the Sheriff. He champi-
oned the needy and oppressed
and robbed and fought those
who represented the corrupt
power and wealth of government
and Church—especially the
Sheriff of Nottingham and cruel Prince John, his sworn
enemy. Robin’s outlaw band of “Merry Men” included
Little John, Will Scarlet, Alan-a-Dale and Friar Tuck.
His true love was Maid Marian. Some of the best-
known stories and ballads tell of how Robin met each
of these, and recruited them into his company.
At that time, King Richard the Lionhearted was
away fighting in the 3rd Crusade, leaving his wicked
brother, John, in charge of the kingdom. John out-
lawed and confiscated the lands of all who stood
against him. Richard died in 1199, and John became
king of England, which only increased his tyranny.
The rebellion begun by Robin of Locksley spread
through the noble houses, eventually forcing John
to sign the Magna Carta (“Great Charter”) in 1215,
granting certain rights to other nobles and ending
the absolute rule of the king by “Divine Right.”Jim
Fitzpatrick
© 1983290 Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard
Corrected pages 3rd printing.2.p65 46 6/10/2004, 5:07 PM