Merlin's Oak
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Merlin's Oak is a famous oak tree that once stood on the corner of Oak Lane and Priory Street in Carmarthen, South Wales.[citation needed]
[edit] Merlin's prophecy
In local tradition, Carmarthen is said to be the birth place of the mythical magician Merlin,[citation needed] claiming that the origin of the name Carmarthen, or Caerfyrddin comes from Myrddin, the Welsh name for Merlin. Merlin is said to have made a prophecy regarding the old oak tree:
- When Merlin's Tree shall tumble down,
- Then shall fall Carmarthen Town.
Other versions of the prophecy state that when the tree falls, the town will drown or flood.
[edit] History
Merlin's Oak was probably planted by a schoolmaster in 1659 or 1660,[citation needed] to celebrate the return of King Charles II of England to the throne.[citation needed]
In the early 19th century, a local man appears to have poisoned the tree,[citation needed] with the intention to stop people from meeting under it, and the oak is believed to have died in the year 1856.[citation needed]
In 1951, a branch was broken off from the tree. This fragment can still be seen in the Carmarthen Museum.
In 1978, the last fragments of the tree were removed from their original place, and are now in the Civic Hall of Carmarthen.[citation needed]
The following winter Carmarthen suffered the worst floods[citation needed] that it had had for many years, and a train was de-railed[citation needed], just as the prophecy said.
