St Alban

Alban was a Roman-Briton martyr. He died in 304 AD, long before the Anglo-Saxons inhabited England. So why would they adopt him as a saint?

In the Summer of 304 AD, during the persecution of Diocletian, the Roman authorities chased down St Amphibalus, a local Christian priest. He ran from door to door, trying to find a friendly neighbour who would hide him.

Eventually, he knocked on a Roman soldier’s door. This may have been a problem, but instead, he was welcomed in.

During this time of hiding, the soldier converted to Christianity. The local magistrate heard where Amphibalus was hiding and sent soldiers to pick him up. When they arrived, the priest was nowhere to be found, but the new convert, Alban, was ready to be taken instead of him.

The soldiers arrested him, bringing him back to the magistrate. As he entered the magistrate’s house, Alban saw he was offering incense to pagan gods. The magistrate told him that if he would sacrifice to these idols, then he would be let go. Alban refused, and the magistrate arranged for him to be tortured.

When it was clear that torture would not cause Alban to change his mind, the magistrate ordered his execution.

Alban was taken to the River Ver. Across the bridge was the place of execution. But as so many locals had come out to see the spectacle, the bridge was blocked. The execution party could not cross the river.

Alban sank to his knees and prayed. The river parted, just like in the Old Testament stories. The party walked across the river-bed without getting wet.

Upon this miracle, the executioner throw his axe away, repented and became a Christian. He choose to be executed along with Alban.

The magistrate hurried to find a new executioner. During this time, Alban became thirsty. Miraculously, the ground below him became a spring and he was able to quench his thirst. An echo of when Christ spoke with the Woman at the Well, who accepted Him as the Living Water.

Both St Alban and the first executioner accepted death by the blade of the axe. And entered the Glory of Heaven.

In the early 5th Century, a church was built over the place where St Alban was martyred.

And in the 8th Century, King Offa of Mercia recovered the remains of St Alban and placed them within a monastery. And by the Norman Conquest, he was established as an English saint.

But why would the Anglo-Saxons be drawn to St Alban? He was a warrior for Christ. A trained soldier, who followed his Master to the point of death. He showed no fear, but eagerly faced his executioner.

Similarly, the Anglo-Saxons were a warrior people. Dying for their thane and people was a privilege. They saw Christ as the Great Thane. The Eternal Master who climbed upon the Cross. He was not passive, but actively welcomed the nails.

And in doing so, He defeated Death, the greatest of enemies, through His own death and Resurrection.