Nacien, Nancien
A Knight of the Round Table who became a hermit.
According to the Vulgate Merlin, he was the son of Bron, the first Fisher King, and Joseph of Arimathea’s sister, Havingues (Enygeus), which means, to be living in Arthur’s time, that he had an extremely long life span. His brothers included Alan and Joshua. The Livre d’Artus more reasonably makes him a descendant of the first Nascien.
His prowess helped Arthur defeat King Rions at the battle of Aneblayse, the Saxons at the battle of Clarence and Vambieres, and King Claudas at the battle of Trebe.
He traded his armor for a robe after he witnessed the Grail carried by a white stag. He retired to a hermitage and became a sage for Arthur’s knights during the Grail Quest. He may have tutored Galahad. He was visited by Gawain and Hector, and he told them both that they would not achieve the Grail because of their sins.
Some commentators make the assumption that he is the same as Nascien d’Orberique, but this is unfounded.
Sources
Vulgate Queste del Saint Graal | 1215-1230
Vulgate Merlin | 1220-1235
Le Livre d’Artus | Early 13th centuryPost-Vulgate Suite du Merlin | 1230-1240
Post-Vulgate Queste del Saint Graal | 1230-1240
Le Morte Darthur | Sir Thomas Malory, 1469-1470