The Legend Behind St. George, The Patron Saint of England

-by Ben Johnson

Every nation has its own ‘Patron Saint’ who in times of great peril is called upon to help save the country from its enemies. St David is the patron saint of Wales, St Andrew of Scotland and St Patrick of Ireland – St George being the patron saint of England.

But who was St. George, and what did he do to become England’s Patron Saint?

Very little is known about St. George’s life, but it is thought he was a high ranking officer in the Roman army who was killed around AD 303.

Stories of his strength and courage spread throughout Europe. The best-known story about St. George is his fight with a dragon, but it is highly unlikely that he ever fought a dragon.

In the Middle Ages the dragon was commonly used to represent the Devil. The many legends connected with St. George’s name and the slaying of the ‘Dragon’ were first credited to him in the 12th century.

St. George, so the story goes, killed a dragon on the flat topped Dragon Hill in Uffington, Berkshire, and it is said that no grass grows where the dragon’s blood trickled down!

It was thought to be the 12th century Crusaders who first invoked his name as an aid in battle.

King Edward III made him the Patron Saint of England when he formed the Order of the Garter in St. George’s name in 1350, and this was further advanced by King Henry V, at the battle of Agincourt in northern France.

Shakespeare made sure that nobody would forget St. George, and has King Henry V finishing his pre-battle speech with the famous phrase, ‘Cry God for Harry, England and St. George!’

King Henry himself, who was both warlike and devout, was thought by his followers to possess many of the saint’s characteristics.

In England St. George’s Day is celebrated, and his flag flown, on his feast day, April 23rd.