St. George: The Dragon Slayer

How could a Roman soldier come to be regarded as the essence of
England? Let’s find out. 

 There is little information
available about St. George and what is available is wrapped in
myth and legend. What we do know is that St. George wasn’t
English and that he probably was a Roman soldier. He is known as
a great crusader, the slayer of dragons and rescuer of maidens. It is believed he
was a Christian martyr in what is today known as Turkey. He was
executed during the 3rd century in Palestine. 

 In the
6th century, tales of St. George’s heroic deeds began to
circulate. During the 12th century the legend expanded to
encompass his slaying of a dragon that had been plaguing the
countryside for years. When the dragon was dead, St. George is
supposed to have rescued a lovely princess. Some researchers
feel that the legend is based on the Greek myth of Perseus and
the rescue of Andromeda from a gigantic sea monster. Others feel
that St. George did indeed rescue the king’s daughter after
slaying some manner of vicious beast. 

 When Christian
knights, known as crusaders, returned to England after having
fought religious wars in the Middle East, the legend of St.
George became popular. Tales of his having slain a dragon was a
great source of entertainment within the castle walls and
courtyards. The me
dieval knights told how St. George had appeared to them
wearing white robes that were decorated with a red cross during
the siege of Antioch in the 11th century. 

 In 1425,
Henry V was victorious at the Battle of Agincourt. It was then
that St. George became the official patron saint of England. The
red cross of St. George adorns Britain’s national flag, and
forms part of the Union Jack. 

 St. George’s powers are
used in the Middle East to cast out demons and in many other
countries St. George’s Day heralds the beginning of summer. He
is classed as the guardian of animals in Lithuania and in some
countries is associated with fertility. In Spain, St. George’s
Day includes many festivities, including the giving of gifts and
the eating of feasts.