Salomon of Cornwall

Salomon (also known as Selyf, Selevan) was a late 5th century Cornish 'warrior prince', possibly a King of Cornwall. His feast day takes place on the 18 October.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was the father of the Cornish bishop Saint Cybi.

Narrative

According to Sabine Baring-Gould, Salomon was the son of Geraint ab Erbin, Prince of Dumnonia. This agrees with the Bonedd y Saint, a Welsh genealogical tract detailing the lineages of the early British saints. Salomon married Gwen ferch Cynyr, the daughter of Cynyr Ceinfarfog who had settled at Caer-Goch near St David's in Pembrokeshire. Gwen ferch Cynyr was the sister of Saint Non.<ref name=Sabine>Baring-Gould, Sabine. The Lives of the British Saints, vol. IV. London. The Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1913, p. 180 Template:PD-notice</ref>

According to the Life of St Cybi, Selevan, (a Brythonic form of Solomon) was a Cornishman and the father of Cybi. Salomon is described as a princeps militiae at a court between the River Tamar and the River Lynher, possibly Gelliwig.<ref>Template:Cite DWB</ref> Welsh historian Arthur Wade-Evans interpreted this title as 'captain of the guard', while others believe he was a sub-king of Cornwall. David Nash Ford suggests that he succeeded to the realm of his cousin, King Mark.

Lansallos is a foundation of Salomon. Baring-Gould mentions a holy well of his sister-in-law, Non, and a church of his son, Cybi, in the area between Roseland and Grampound.<ref>Baring-Gould, Sabine. "A Book of Cornwall', Methuen, 1906, p. 211</ref>

Salomon is identified with Selevan, of St Levan in Cornwall and Penmon on Anglesey.<ref>Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Volume 19, Royal Institution of Cornwall, 1912, p. 430</ref> On the cliff at St Levan is St Levan's Well and below it the probable remains of his chapel, which were described by William Borlase in his Antiquities.<ref>Doble, G. H., (1960) The Saints of Cornwall: part 1. Truro: Dean and Chapter; pp. 3-9</ref> The "Selus stone" at St Just in Penwith Parish Church is thought to refer to Salomon. The identity of Saint Just is not known.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Among the possibilities mentioned is the Welsh hermit, Saint Iestyn, said to be a son of Geraint ab Erbin.

In the department of Morbihan in Brittany are four places connected to a Saint Saloman. Baring-Gould suggests this is a second, separate individual.<ref name=Sabine/>

Sources

• Doble, G. H. (1964). The Saints of Cornwall, part 3. Truro: Dean and Chapter; pp. 105–132
• Wade-Evans, A. W. (ed.) (1944). Vitae Sanctorum Britanniae et Genealogiae. Cardiff: University of Wales Press Board