Merlin's Oak in Carmarthen, Wales

In Arthurian lore, the Welsh town of Carmarthen—whose name apparently means “Merlin’s fort”—is said to be the birthplace of Merlin Ambrosius, King Arthur’s wizardly sidekick. So it should not come as a surprise that the town has some associations with him. Allegedly planted in 1659 or 1660 by a local schoolmaster to celebrate the Restoration of Charles II, Merlin’s Oak stood on the corner of Oak Lane and Priory Street. Local tradition has it that “when Merlin’s Oak shall tumble down, then so will fall Carmarthen Town.” It is also…

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