On the Kalendar: Saint Alban, Proto-Martyr of Britain

Not much is known about Alban’s early life. His Legend begins when he met a Christian priest fleeing from persecutors and offered him shelter. Over the course of several days, Alban was impressed by the priest’s faith and piety, and Alban converted to Christianity. Eventually the authorities learned the priest was being sheltered by Alban, so they sent roman soldiers to search Alban’s house and seize the Priest. Instead, they seized Alban, who had put on the priest’s clothing and offered himself up in the priest’s place.

The judge (who was allegedly sacrificing to pagan gods when Alban was brought before him) was incensed by Alban’s subterfuge, and sentenced Alban to receive the punishments reserved for the priest. Alban was scourged, but Alban bore these torments “patiently and joyfully,” so the judge ordered Alban to be beheaded.

On the way to the execution site, Alban and the soldiers came to a bridge over a fast-flowing river (said to be the River Ver in Hertfordshire. A mob of townspeople who had gathered to watch the execution blocked the bridge, so Alban raised his eyes to heaven in prayer, and the river was dried up, allowing th execution party to cross on dry land. The principal executioner dropped his sword and fell at Alban’s feet, offering to be executed in Alban’s place. Alban, however, intent on martyrdom, proceeded forward to the crest of a gently sloping hill. Having worked up a thirst, Alban prayed God to give him water, and a spring immediately sprang up at his feet. The backup executioner then beheaded Alban, as well as the original executioner who had converted.

According to the Legend, two miracles followed hard on Alban’s death. First, the eyes of the executioner popped out and dropped to the ground next to Alban’s head, so that he couldn’t rejoice at Alban’s death. Second, Alban’s head rolled downhill, and another well sprang up where it stopped. Saint Alban’s Cathedral now stands near the site of the execution, and there is a well at the bottom of the adjacent hill, Holywell Hill.

The precise year of Alban’s execution is unknown. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle puts it in A.D. 283, but the Venerable Bede places it in A.D. 305. Whatever the date, he is venerated as the first english martyr. His feast day is June 22.