MOR'GAN, TILE FAY. An important figure in medireval romance. whose origin is probably to be traced to Celtic mythology. In the rita Mer lini. ascribed to Geoffrey of Monmonth, she is mentioned as the eldest of nine sisters who in habit the fortunate `Insula Pomorum.' She is said to lie very learned in the art of healing. and to be endowed besides with the mysterious powers of changing shape and of flying like a bird. To her, according to the same account. the wounded Arthur was borne after the battle of Camian. Morgan played a similar part in ro of other cycles. Thus. in the story of "Osier le Danois." she receives the aged Oilier in the island of Avalon and restores him to youth: and in the "Orlando Innamorato" of Boiardo there is a long account of her splendid abode at the bottom of a lake. In Italy, her name has been popularly applied to a form of mirage. (See FATA .7.‘IORGANA.) In the Celtic romances she is said to be a sister of King Arthur. The origin of her name and character is uncertain. It has been proposed to identify
the nine sisters of the `lnsula Pomormn' with the nine priestesses of Sena described in the an cient account of Pomponius Stela. From a dif ferent point of view Morgan has been connected with the Irish Muirgen, better known by the name Liban. Morgan, like Muirgcn, may mean 'sead)orn,' and both persons have something to do with the world beneath the waves. But this theory (proposed by Professor Rhys) will not account for all the features of the story. The whole subject has recently been investigated in an elaborate study by Dr. L. A. Paton, who holds that Morgan's name and part, at least. of her characteristics are derived from the Irish Mor rign, a kind of battle-goddess. Consult Miss Pa ton's dissertation,Studics in the Fairy Mythology of Arthurian. Romance, a Radcliffe College mono graph (Boston, 1903). For Rhys's view consult his Arthitriaa Legend (London, 1SS7).