Roman Catholic Saint. He was Britain's first Catholic martyr. When the Roman Emperor Severus came to Britain, he ordered all Christians to be executed. Alban, a prominent citizen, sheltered a fugitive priest, providing him with his clothes. When the deception was discovered, Alban proclaimed himself a Christian. At his trial he refused to sacrifice to Roman gods and was executed "from the walled place, across a stream to an arena and thence five hundred paces up a hill". According to the legend, on the hill-top a spring of water miraculously appeared to give the martyr a drink; moved by this, the original executioner refused to carry out the deed, and after his replacement had killed Alban the executioner's eyes dropped out. The spot of the execution became the place where Saint Alban's Cathedral was established.
Roman Catholic Saint. He was Britain's first Catholic martyr. When the Roman Emperor Severus came to Britain, he ordered all Christians to be executed. Alban, a prominent citizen, sheltered a fugitive priest, providing him with his clothes. When the deception was discovered, Alban proclaimed himself a Christian. At his trial he refused to sacrifice to Roman gods and was executed "from the walled place, across a stream to an arena and thence five hundred paces up a hill". According to the legend, on the hill-top a spring of water miraculously appeared to give the martyr a drink; moved by this, the original executioner refused to carry out the deed, and after his replacement had killed Alban the executioner's eyes dropped out. The spot of the execution became the place where Saint Alban's Cathedral was established.
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