Albus Dumbledore was one of the most celebrated wizards of his time. But, in addition to his many accolades, was he also a descendent of the great and powerful Merlin?
Other than being the most prominent and well-loved Headmaster to ever grace the hallowed halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore was also one of the most powerful and respected wizards of his time.
Considering his success, intelligence and abilities, it’s not hard to image that he could be related to other, equally as brilliant wizards from centuries long ago. Someone like the 6th-century’s Merlin, the wizard who is most famous for his adventures and involvement with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
But with hundreds and hundreds of years between these two prolific wizards, is it even POSSIBLE for them to be related? Let’s take a look.
3 Facts Supporting that Dumbledore Is Related to Merlin
FACT #1: It’s possible through Albus Dumbledore’s ancestry
Born in the summer of 1881 in the wizarding village of Mould-on-the-Wold, Albus was the eldest child of Percival and Kendra Dumbledore.
Considering the rumours about Kendra Dumbledore being a Muggle-born, it is quite unlikely that she was a descendent of the wizard Merlin. This means, that Albus was not related to Merlin on his maternal side.
Albus’ father, Percival, on the other hand, came from an English pureblood or half-blood wizarding family, meaning that it is possible for HIS family lineage to be connected to Merlin.
FACT #2: Wizarding world Merlin is not the same as Arthurian Merlin
Much of the Arthurian Legendsabout Merlin do not align with the Merlin as described in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
This means that everything we know about the Merlin of Camelot cannot be broadly applied to the wizarding world’s version of Merlin. Why? Because they are clearly two different people.
The is best proven by the fact that the two Merlins existed centuries years apart, within their respective narrative worlds.
Arthurian Merlin lived around the 500s
According to the legends and texts, the Merlin known within the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table lived within the early 6th century.
Wizarding world Merlin lived around the 1,000s
The Merlin of the wizarding world, however, lived much later—likely around the 1,000s. This is supported by the fact that Merlin was a well-known Slytherin pupil at Hogwarts—an institution which didn’t exist until the 10th century.
And, as he would’ve been only 11 when he first began his studies there, he clearly hadn’t been alive before Hogwarts’ founding in the 900s.
There’s also the fact that the Order of Merlin, a designation awarded “for acts of outstanding bravery or distinction in magic”, was created in the 1400s. This would’ve been almost a century after Camelot’s Merlin lived.
It seems a lot more likely that the Order of Merlin was created in homage to a more recent wizarding figure—Merlin, the Slytherin.
FACT #3: There are no coincidences in Harry Potter
With the previous two facts, you can see that it is indeed possible for Dumbledore and Merlin to be related within the context of the wizarding world. And, with all the coincidences that surround these two wizards, it actually seems probable.
For example, the Order of Merlin designation mentioned earlier, was awarded to Dumbledore for defeating the Dark Wizard, Grindelwald. And, not just the Order of Merlin—but the much rarer Order of Merlin, First Class.
Of course, I’m not suggesting that every recipient of the Order of Merlin, First Class was related to Merlin himself. But, it certainly seems quite coincidental that the highest achievement within the wizarding world, which was bestowed upon Dumbledore, was also an honour created in recognition of Merlin himself.
There’s also the interesting coincidence of Albus’ father’s name, Percival. Percival just so happens to be the name of one of the knights of the Round Table in Arthurian Legend.
Fact or Coincidence?
While there is very little evidence to support that Albus Dumbledore was a descendant of Merlin, there are so many coincidences, that it seems like a strong possibility.
After all, the wizarding world of Harry Potter offers very few true coincidences. Rather, it seems more likely that each of these examples are little clues meant to indicate a connection between the two wizards. One that goes beyond their magical accomplishments and reputations.
What about you? Do you think Dumbledore is related to Merlin? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!