The Legend of St. Alban and his Beheading

The town of St Albans, situated approximately at 51.754816, -0.336475, tells a story that dates back to the 3rd century during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian, notorious for his persecution of Christians. The town’s name, St Albans, is in honor of the first British Christian martyr, Alban. Before his conversion, it is said that Alban, then a pagan, offered shelter to a Christian priest fleeing from the Emperor’s persecution. Moved by the priest’s faith, Alban converted to Christianity and they switched places when soldiers arrived to arrest the priest, leading to Alban’s arrest. He endured tortures and even after being sentenced to death, he made a lasting impression. On his way to execution, upon reaching River Ver, a large crowd had gathered and the bridge across the river remained inaccessible. Undeterred, Alban raised his hands in prayer and the waters of the river parted, allowing him and his executioners to cross to the other side. When one executioner saw this miracle, he cast away his sword and refused to execute him. Nonetheless, another took his place and beheaded Alban. Legend says that upon his beheading, his executioner was struck blind while a spring of water miraculously appeared on the hill’s summit. Today, the magnificent St Alban’s cathedral stands near the believed site of his execution, while the town itself brims with the spirit of Alban, arguably its most famous son.

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