[Norwich formerly abounded with woolcombers, who still esteem Bishop
Blase as their patron saint, probably from the [Combe of Yren] with
which he was tortured previously to his martyrdom. "No other reason,"
says Alban Butler, "than the great devotion of the people to this
celebrated martyr of the Church, seems to have given occasion to the
woolcombers to choose him the titular patron of their profession; on
which account his festival is still kept by them with a solemn guild at
Norwich."]
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