Saint Alban

Sant Alban was the first British Christian martyr. He was a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity. His home town of Verulamium is now is named St Albans after him.

Saint Alban
Saint Alban
Martyr
Born	unknown, Verulamium
Died	disputed: 22 June 209, c.251 or 304, Holywell Hill (formerly Holmhurst Hill), St Albans
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church; Anglican Communion; Eastern Orthodox Church
Major shrine	Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban
Feast	22 June
Attributes	Soldier with a very large cross and a sword; decapitated, with his head in a holly bush and the eyes of his executioner dropping out
Patronage	converts, refugees, torture victims

A priest was being chased by the Romans and Alban swapped clothes with the priest so he could escape. When they found out, the Romans ordered Alban to be killed. As he was a fine soldier, he was allowed to be beheaded by the sword than by the axe, because it was more honourable. When they cut off St. Alban's head, the executioner's eyes fell out into his hand, and he was blinded.

The bones of Alban were kept in a shrine in St Albans Abbey. They were stolen during the 19th century.

Saint Alban Media

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  Stained glass in St Albans Cathedral in England, showing the death of Saint Alban

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  The martyrdom of St Alban, from a 13th-century manuscript written and illustrated by Matthew Paris, now in Trinity College Library, Dublin; note the executioner's eyes falling out of his head

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  Martyrdom of Amphibalus from the Trinity College Life of St Alban

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  Framed tinted drawing of Heraclius taking down the head of Saint Alban, from the Trinity College Life

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  St. Alban window at Church of the Good Shepherd (Rosemont, Pennsylvania)

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  Stained glass window depicting Saint Alban and Saint George, Patron Saint of England

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  Shrine of Saint Alban in St Albans Cathedral

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  The Anglican St Alban's Church in Copenhagen, Denmark