Myrddin, also known as Merlin, is commonly viewed today as a wizard, shape-shifter, or mentor to King Arthur. However, Welsh scholars suggest that Myrddin may also be considered an early British environmentalist who was concerned about humanity’s interaction with the natural world. Over the past three years, academics from three Welsh universities have translated and edited more than 100 poems about Merlin dating back to the 10th century. According to David Callander of Cardiff University’s School of Welsh, the project challenges the modern view of Merlin and shows him to be a poet and prophet who foresaw the future of Britain. Some of the poems reassessed emphasize Merlin’s fixation on nature and how humans affect the world, making him an early environmentalist. The project involved universities in Wales and examined manuscripts in the National Library of Wales and the Red Book of Hergest at Jesus College, Oxford. The researchers also discovered the importance of Merlin’s sister, Gwenddydd, and the relevance of Welsh language texts that have been neglected in the past. The project is available in beta form on the website and finished version will be published by the end of the year.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/25/early-poems-about-merlin-portray-him-as-environmentalist-say-scholars