E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Alban (St.),
like St. Denis, is represented as carrying his head between his hands. His attributes are a sword and a crown.
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St. Aphrodisius, St. Aventine, St. Desideriue. St. Chrysolius, St. Hilarian, St. Leo, St. Lucanus. St. Lucian, St. Proba, St. Solangia, and several other martyrs, are represented as carrying their heads in their hands. An artist’s bungling way of identifying a headless trunk.
