Acta Sanctorum Support

Martyrs of Lichfield

2 January · commentary
Latin source: Heiligenlexikon
Save as PDF
A Bollandist commentary on the many British martyrs slain at Lichfield in Staffordshire during the Diocletianic persecution (c. 304). The city's very name ("Field of Corpses") and its coat of arms depicting slain martyrs preserve their memory. They are said to have been disciples of St. Amphibalus. 4th century

ON THE HOLY BRITISH MARTYRS AT LICHFIELD IN ENGLAND.

Circa A.D. 304.

Commentary

Very many saints, Martyrs at Lichfield in England

[1] Lichfield is a very ancient city of England in the county of Stafford, called "Licisfeld" by Bede, as if "Field of Corpses," Lichfield named from the slaughter of Martyrs. because very many Christians were put to martyrdom there under Diocletian. For this reason the city bears as its insignia a painted shield in which Martyrs killed in various ways are depicted, Its coat of arms. as can be seen in the Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain by John Speed, book 1, chapter 35.

[2] The English Martyrology appoints the commemoration of these Martyrs on January 2, and records that they were disciples of St. Amphibalus. Concerning them, Bede writes in book 1 of his History of the English, chapter 7, near the end: "At that time Aaron and Julius, citizens of the City of Legions (who are venerated on July 1), suffered, together with very many others of both sexes Many slain there. in various places, who, tortured with diverse torments and torn apart with unheard-of dismemberment of their limbs, sent their souls to the joys of the heavenly city, having completed the perfect contest." Matthew of Westminster treats of them more fully at the year 303, as does Nicholas Harpsfield, 3rd century, chapter 10.

Feedback

Noticed an error, have a suggestion, or want to share a thought? Let me know.

Support the Translation

The Acta Sanctorum has never been available in English. This site is translating all of it: January through July are done, August is underway, and the calendar runs to November 10, where the Bollandists stopped in 1940. The scholarship pipeline is built; what remains is a compute bill. Contributions go directly to translating more of the calendar.

$10 — a feast day $300 — a month $10/mo — patron

The Acta was a funded enterprise for three centuries; the translation runs the same way. Everything here is free and stays free whether you give or not. Wroot Press is a small independent press — an imprint of Wroot Labs LLC, not a charity. Contributions aren't tax-deductible; they buy compute.