Celeydoine, Chelidoines, Cilodormes, Colidoines, Selydoine
King of Scotland, son of the first Nascien and Flegentine, and ancestor of Lancelot and Galahad.
When Joseph of Arimathea visited Sarras and surrounding regions, Celidoine converted to Christianity with his father and became a devout believer. After King Mordrains of Sarras disappeared, Nascien and Celidoine, still a boy, were imprisoned by an infidel named Galafre. God lifted Nascien from the prison, for which Galafre tried to kill Celidoine by hurling him from a tower, but the arms of God broke Celidoine’s descent and carried him away.
He had a number of adventures at sea which served to test his piety. He converted King Label of Persia, and later married Label’s daughter. Celidoine preceded his father to Britain, where he performed the first conversion of a Briton ruler: Duke Ganor of Galafort.
He was crowned King of North Wales. He learned to interpret messages in the stars, and by doing so managed to save his kingdom from a famine. His son, Narpus, inherited his lands and title. Celidoine was buried at Camelot.
Celidoine’s name seems to be some variation of Celidon, or the Caledonian forest in northern England and Scotland. R.S. Loomis points out that Celidoine’s power of prophecy seems reminiscent of Merlin’s, and that Merlin is called “Merlinus Celidonius” by Giraldus Cambrensis.
Sources
Vulgate Estoire del Saint Graal | 1220-1235
Arthour and Merlin | Late 13th century