Chapter Vadius to Valjean of V by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Valerian [valerê, “to be hale”], a plant of which cats are especially fond. It is good in nervous complaints, and a sovereign remedy for cramps. “Valerian hath beenê had in such veneration that no brothes, pottage, or physicall meates are woorth anything if this be not at one end.” (See Valirian.)

Valerian then he crops, and purposely doth stamp,
To apply unto the place that’s halèd with the cramp.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, xiii. (1613).

Valerio, a noble young Neapolitan lord, husband of Evanthê. (See Evanthe, p. 347.)—Fletcher: A Wife for a Month (1624).

Valerius, the hero and title of a novel by J. G. Lockhart (1821). Valerius is the son of a Roman commander settled in Britain. After the death of his father, he is sum moned to Rome, to take possession of an estate to which he is the heir. At the villa of Capito he meets with Athanasia, a lady who unites the Roman grace with the elevation of the Christian. Valerius becomes a Christian also, and brings Athanasia to Britain. The display at the Flavian amphitheatre is admirably described. A Christian prisoner his brought forward, either to renounce his faith or die in the arena; of course, the latter is his lot.

(This is one of the best Roman stories in the language.)

Valerius , the brother of Valeria. He was in love with Horatia, but Horatia was betrothed to Caius Curiatius.—Whitehead: The Roman Father (1741).

Valiant (The), Jean IV. of Brittany (1338, 1364–1399).

Valiant-for-Truth, a brave Christian, who fought three foes at once. His sword was “a right Jerusalem blade,” so he prevailed, but was wounded in the encounter. He joined Christiana’s party in their journey to the Celestial City.—Bunyan: Pilgrim’s Progress, ii. (1684).

Valirian, husband of St. Cecilia. Cecilia told him she was beloved by an angel, who constantly visited her; and Valirian requested to see this visitant. Cecilia replied that he should do so, if he went to pope Urban to be baptized. This he did, and on returning home the angel gave him a crown of lilies, and to Cecilia a crown of roses, both from the garden of paradise. Valirian, being brought before the prefect Almachius for heresy, was executed.—Chaucer: Canterbury Tales (“The Second Nun’s Tale,” 1388). (See Valerian.)

Valjean (Fean), the hero of Les Misérables (1862) by Victor Hugo. He is an ex-convict of great strength and courage, converted through the kindness of an ecclesiastic who gave him food and lodging and then discovered him in the act of stealing the plate. He afterwards rises to a good position as a manufacturer, and becomes a municipal officer; but his enemies discover his past history and bitterly persecute him in consequence. He bears it all, together with some severe reverses, with great heroism and patience, and finally dies in peace.