E05846: Constantius of Lyon, in his Life of *Germanus (bishop of Auxerre, ob. c. 448, S00455), written in Latin at Lyon (central Gaul) between c. 460 and c. 480, describes how Germanus and his companion *Lupus (bishop of Troyes, S00418) visited the shrine of *Albanus/Alban (martyr of Verulamium, S01364) and Albanus subsequently protected their crossing of the Channel.

Constantius of Lyon, Life of Germanus of Auxerre 16, 18

For a full account of Constantius' Life of Germanus, see $E05841.

After Germanus and Lupus have triumphed over the British Pelagians, and Germanus has carried out the healing miracle of $E05881, Germanus and Lupus visit the shrine of Alban (§ 16):

Conpressa itaque peruersitate damnabili eiusque auctoribus confutatis animisque omnium fidei puritate conpositis, sacerdotes beatum Albanum martyrem acturi deo per ipsum gratias petiuerunt.

'When this damnable heresy had been thus stamped out, its authors refuted, and the minds of all reestablished in the true faith, the bishops visited the shrine of the blessed martyr Alban, to give thanks to God through him.'

After a narrative of Germanus' subsequent activities in Britain (§§ 16-18), including his defeat of an invasion by the Picts and Saxons, and a number of miracles (on which see $E06862 and $E07553), Constantius narrates the departure of Germanus and Lupus back to Gaul (§ 18). Here, as in most of his narrative of the visit, Constantius keeps Lupus firmly in the background, and does not mention him by name.

Conposita itaque opulentissima insula securitate multiplici, superatisque hostibus uel spiritalibus uel carne conspicuis, quippe qui uicissent Pelagianistas et Saxones, cum totius merore regionis reditum moliuntur. Tranquillam nauigationem merita propria et intercessio Albani martyris parauerunt quietosque antistites suorum desideriis felix carina restituit.

'Thus this most wealthy island, with the defeat both of its spiritual and of its human foes, was rendered secure in every sense. And now, to the great grief of the whole country, those who had won the victories over both Pelagians and Saxons made preparations for their return. Their own merits and the intercession of Alban the martyr secured for them a calm voyage; and a good ship brought them back in peace to their expectant people.'

For Germanus' next miracles in Britain, see $E06862 and $E07553. After Germanus' return to Auxerre, Constantius describes how he found the city crushed by excessive taxes and therefore decided to seek a remission of taxes from the Praetorian Prefect (§ 19). He begins a journey to Arles, during which his next miracle occurs: $E07554.

Text: Borius 1965. Translation: Hoare 1954. Summary: David Lambert.