1-156-704 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Scenes from the life of St Denis, patron saint of France, 3rd century (14th century). St Denis consecrates a church in Paris (bottom) and baptises new Christians (top). St Denis (dc250), also known as Denys or Dionysius, an Italian-born missionary to Gaul, was the first Bishop of Paris. He was beheaded at Montmartre (Martyrs' Hill), Paris, under the persecutions of the Roman emperor Valerian (c193-260) and was said to have carried his head to his burial site at Saint-Denis. From Vie de St Denis written by a monk from the Abbey of St Denis.