Wizard of the North, Michael Scot: Episode 007

We have something for you tonight that we at The Midnight Library believe you’ve been wanting, perhaps without even being aware you were missing it.

We believe life, in general, would be immeasurably better if we all knew a Wizard.  Listen while we make real for you the life and times of The Wizard of the North, Michael Scot.

Michael Scot in Bodleian " De physionomiae", MS. Canon. Misc. 555, fol. 059r

Date13th century

Photograph of Long Meg And Her Daughters taken my Martin McCarthy (Tumulus) 2000

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Meg_and_Her_Daughters#/media/File:LongMeg001.jpg

Melrose Abbey from the burial ground Founded in 1136, the abbey was always subject to sacking and rebuilding, and most of the surviving building is 15th century.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melrose_Abbey#/media/File:Melrose_Abbey_from_the_burial_ground_-_geograph.org.uk_-_781601.jpg

Melrose Abbey in 1800 when part of the abbey was still in use as the parish church[3]

Below is the Second Canto, XIII

XIII

`In these far climes it was my lot

To meet the wondrous Michael Scott,

A wizard, of such dreaded fame,

Than when, in Salmanca's cave,

Him listed his magic wand to wave,

The bells would ring in Notre Dame!

Some of his skill he taught to me;

And Warrior, I could say to thee

The words that cleft Eildon hills in three,

And bridled the Tweed with a curb of stone:

But to speak them were a deadly sin;

And for having but thought them my heart within,

A treble penance must be done.

You can read the full poem with all of its cantos here.

REFERENCE LINKS:

1. Scotsman

2. Haunted Palace Blog

3. Knowledge Nuts

4. Herald Scotland