Valeʹrian or Valirian

Husband of St. Cecilia. Cecilia told him she was beloved by an angel who frequently visited her, and Valerian requested he might be allowed to see this constant visitant. Cecilia told him he should do so provided he went to Pope Urban and got baptised. On returning home, he saw the angel in his wife’s chamber, who gave to Cecilia a crown of roses, and to himself a crown of lilies, both of which he brought from Paradise. The angel then asked Valerian what would please him best, and he answered that his brother might be brought “to saving faith” by God’s grace. The angel approved of the petition, and said both should be holy martyrs. Valerian being brought before Almaʹchius, the prefect, was commanded to worship the image of Jupiter, and, refusing to do so, was led forth to execution. (Chaucer: Secounde Nonnes Tale.) (See Cecilia.)