Alban, St

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Alban, St. Protomartyr of Britain, known from early medieval hagiographies. These portray him as a Roman officer who sheltered a priest during one of the persecutions and was martyred at Verulamium. No date is given but dates in the early and the late 3rd cent. have been put forward. The description of the trial and passion of Alban reflects the actual topography of Verulamium and the medieval St Albans abbey may perpetuate the site of his death or burial; the shrine was in existence to be visited by Bishop Germanus of Auxerre in 429.

Alan Simon Esmonde Cleary

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