with some readers believing it is totally literary and others seeing possible parallels in folklore. Graelent Some scholars have connected Gradlon to the Breton lai of Graelent, as far back as Kerdanet's edition of Albert Le Grand's Vies des Saints. The knight Graelent, reduced to poverty after angering the queen, meets a beautiful woman at a fountain and takes her as his mistress. She restores his wealth. However, he breaks his promise to her and tells others of her existence. When she leaves, he pursues her and nearly drowns trying to follow her across a river. She relents and takes him with her to her world, leaving his horse waiting on the bank. The couple is never seen again. Historicity Gradlon Mor or, in Latin, Gradlonus Magnus, appears in the Life of St. Winwaloe written before 884. Here he is depicted as the founder of Cornubia (Cornwall) who died at the beginning of the 6th century. Elsewhere, a cartulary of Landévennec describes Charlemagne sending ambassadors to appeal for Gradlon Mur's help. Gradlon Mor, the son of Conan Meriadoc, was succeeded by his son Salomon I and then by his grandson Auldran. According to Amy Varin, the Landevennec Cartulary credits Gradlon with one son named Riwallon who died young. Gradlon may have been a common Breton name; the cartulary of Landévennec also mentions two other Cornish counts named Gradlon Flam and Gradlon Plueneuor. See also Argol Parish close Culture of France History of France Religion in France Roman Catholicism in France References Breton mythology and folklore Kings of Brittany Year of birth missing Year of death unknown 5th-century Breton people