Today November 22nd is the feast day of Saint Cecilia who is the patron saint of poets, singers, music and musicians. According to legend she was martyred in the reign of the emperor Alexander Severus in the early third century. The executioner who was sent to behead her botched the job and she took three days to die. Her status as music patron dates from the 16th century. Fans of The Canterbury Tales will recall her story is told by the Second Nun.