NIGHTBRINGER | The Arthurian Encyclopedia

Apollo of Lyonesse

Apolon

The first king of Lyonesse, descended from Alexander the Great. He was Tristan’s great-great-great grandfather.

The son of Sador (son of Bron) and Chelinde, he was abandoned in the forest as an infant by Canor, his step-father, and was found and raised by Sir Nichoraut of Cornwall and his wife Madule. He grew up to be a good knight but, in a tragic Oedipal situation, he unknowingly killed his father Sador and married his mother Chelinde.

St. Augustine converted Apollo to Christianity and revealed these facts to him. Chelinde was killed by a lightning bolt while attempting to murder St. Augustine. Apollo re-married Gloriande and had a son named Candaces, who succeeded him.

Apollo was killed by Anzilere, son of the King of Cornwall, who desired his wife.


Sources
Prose Tristan | 1230-1240
La Tavola Ritonda | 1325-1350
Povest’ o Tryshchane | c. 1580