The Palatine Pages Vol.3 - Our Patron Saint: Who Was Saint Alban?

The Palatine Pages - Vol.3

Greetings from Palatine House,

As declared by Letters Patent, the City of Albansberg, a name inspired by the English Christian martyr St. Alban, will henceforth serve as the capital of Aspenwald. A proclamation signed on the tenth of June this year named Saint Alban as Aspenwald's patron saint. The same proclamation appointed the Feast of Saint Alban as a de facto national day of Aspenwald (and I do hope you will all join me in making our first ever St. Alban's Day a special one!) and assigned the Cross of Saint Alban as the symbol for the flag and arms of our capital of Albansberg. In this missive, I hope to explain my reasoning behind choosing Saint Alban by sharing the story of his life and sainthood.

Saint Alban is venerated as the first recorded British Christian martyr, and his story dates back to the 3rd or 4th century. The most detailed version of his story come from the Venerable Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People.

According to tradition, Alban was a pagan living in the British Roman city of Verulamium (now St Albans in Hertfordshire, England) when a Christian priest, fleeing persecution, sought refuge at his home. Alban sheltered the priest, who was called Amphibalus in later texts, and was so impressed by the priest's piety and commitment to his faith that he converted to Christianity.

When Roman soldiers came to Alban's home searching for the priest, Alban put on the priest's cloak and surrendered himself in the place of his guest, allowing Amphibalus to escape. Alban was arrested and brought before the local magistrate. Despite the danger, Alban declared his new faith and refused to make a sacrifice to the Roman gods. The magistrate ordered that Alban should receive the punishment intended for the priest - death by beheading.

St. Alban is recognized as a beacon of justice and sanctuary, revered for his courage and empathy. He embodies the spirit of standing up against persecution. His heroic act of defiance, which led to his martyrdom, enshrined his enduring legacy as a protector of the oppressed and the persecuted. His sainthood, often associated with offering refuge, resonates deeply with Aspenwald's values of inclusivity and sanctuary. Saint Alban serves as a powerful symbol of Aspenwald's commitment to be a haven of acceptance and welcome for all.

The flag of Saint Alban is a yellow saltire on a blue field (azure a saltire or), which may serve as an ensign representing the City of Albansberg, the capital of Aspenwald, and that the arms of the city shall display a design of the same.

the Flag of Albansberg

the Arms of Albansberg

We will soon be celebrating our very first St. Alban's Day here in Aspenwald. This special day is to be our de facto National Day, a moment for us to pause and reflect on the shared ideals that bind us together.

Whether you personally hold religious beliefs or not, I hope we all can agree that Saint Alban represents values we all treasure and aspire to embody. He stands as a symbol of selfless courage, a beacon of refuge for the persecuted, and a paragon of universal love and inclusivity. These are the tenets we uphold in Aspenwald, forming the bedrock of our burgeoning culture.

Let us use Saint Alban's Day to honor these values and celebrate the unity and strength of our community. While we may be scattered across the globe, on this day, we stand together, united under the banner of Aspenwald.

I cordially invite you all to join me in these celebrations. I propose the following ways to mark the occasion:

Raise the Flag: Proudly display our flag at your homes or as a virtual background during online interactions.

Play the Anthem: If you play an instrument, consider sharing your rendition of our anthem or creating a unique musical tribute to Saint Alban's Day. If not, I invite you to play a recording of the anthem.

Join the Address: Watch this space, as well as the official Aspenwald Facebook page and Hanover Place for the address that I will deliver on the day. We will reflect on our journey so far, recommit to our cherished values, and look towards the future with optimism.

I eagerly look forward to celebrating with you all.

- Michael