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. 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. 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. Salomon is identified with
Selevan, of
St Levan in Cornwall and
Penmon on
Anglesey. 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. The "Selus stone" at
St Just in Penwith Parish Church is thought to refer to Salomon. The identity of Saint Just is not known. 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. ==References==