12 Facts About Amphibalus

Amphibalus is a venerated early Christian priest said to have converted Saint Alban to Christianity.

Amphibalus occupied a place in British hagiography almost as revered as Alban himself.

Amphibalus was offered shelter by Alban in the Roman city of Verulamium, in modern-day England.

When Roman soldiers came to seize Amphibalus, Alban put on Amphibalus' robes and was punished in his place.

Amphibalus gained his name and title when Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote his in the 12th-century.

Amphibalus provided an elaborate version of the story of Saint Alban and gave a prominent role in it to a new martyr-saint, Amphibalus, whose name he states to have found in Geoffrey's work.

The new story about Amphibalus that emerged is based on associations with Saint Alban.

Amphibalus was believed to be a citizen of Caerleon during the 3rd or 4th century.

Amphibalus instructed Alban with "wholesome admonitions", influencing Alban to abandon his previous religious beliefs and follow Amphibalus in the Christian faith.

Amphibalus is known for being one of four martyrs of the early Christian church in Roman Britain along with Albus, Julius and Aron.

The body believed to belong to Amphibalus was moved to St Alban's, where a shrine was constructed for the veneration of the relics.

The first shrine of St Amphibalus stood before the Great Rood Screen in the Norman Abbey of St Alban's, near the high altar on the north side of the shrine of St Alban.