In Meg Cabot’s series, Avalon High, a young high school student moves to a new school called Avalon High, where she meets a whole host of stereotypical students, one of which is the reincarnation of King Arthur himself. When the book became a graphic novel, the reader meets yet another reincarnation, one called Morgan le Fey. Not only this, but Morgan le Fay has appeared in many other works as well, such as Hearken to Avalon by Arianna Alexsandra, Avalon Relics by Aenghus Chisholme, and even the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. While it’s true that Morgan le Fay has had a rather powerful impact on our culture, her backstories are rather varied.

There have been suggestions that Morgan le Fay is actually the Irish deity Morrigan, who is known as the Queen of Phantoms, and has been associated with concepts such as fate and war. However, Gerald of Wales had made Morgan an aristocrat, as well as a relative of King Arthur. In Vita Merlini, Geoffrey of Monmouth recounts how King Arthur fought Mordred at the Battle of Camlann, where Morgan accompanied him. In this story, Morgan had only used her powers benevolently. Morgan also appeared in Chrétien de Troyes’s works, specifically Erec and Enide. In the romance, Guinguemar is a relative of King Arthur, and was in love with Morgan, and describes her as a “fairy mistress.”

However, in the 13th century Morgan’s character took a more sinister turn, and, unfortunately, is what many people know of her today. Morgan became the enemy of both Guinevere and Arthur, and was believed to be a dangerous sorcereress and seductress. In this story, when Morgan was a child, she spent her time in a convent. It was there she came to learn magic and study under Merlin, only for Uther Pendragon, the high king, to marry her off to Urien of Gore, an ally. However, because Morgan was displeased with her marriage, she cheated on him over and over again, until Guinevere finally made her a lady-in-waiting. After a fight with Guinevere, Morgan leaves Camelot in order to learn from Merlin. And as she does, she continues to plot her revenge against Arthur and Guinevere, often undermining the virtues of the court, especially the Knights of the Round. She is often tied to Mordred during this time, simply because of their hatred for Arthur.

As time passed, however, this changed. During the Higher Middle ages, Morgan is featured as the helper of many heroes. This can be shown in Arthour and Merlin, where she and the Lady of the Lake are one in the same. Nowadays, she’s considered not just an important character in fantasy, but she’s also a feminist icon.

Morgan le Fay is a powerful woman and witch. She had powers where she could destroy her enemies, as well as  help an ally in times of need. What’s more, she also has had an influence on our culture, so much so that she has been adapted in various TV shows and movies. She was even a symbol of feminist groups, and has been shown in the context of a variety of pagan groups. Nevertheless, she is a powerful character, and continues to be to this day.