Who Was Saint George?
Biography of St George, England's Saint, Celebrated 23rd April.
St George is the patron saint of England, but little is known about this 4th Century martyr. Who was he, and why is he still remembered today?
Very little is actually known about St George and despite his association with England, he is actually believed to have been Turkish.
George was a soldier in the Roman army who died in the early 4th century AD, and was martyred for his Christian faith. He protested against the torture and killing of Christians. Attempts were made to make him give up his faith and his refusal led to his own torture and beheading.
The England Connection
It is not known that George ever travelled to England himself but he became associated with English military success. Visions of St George were considered omens of victory during the first crusade and since the 12th century he has been associated with the country.
The Order of the Garter, the highest honour within the British System is also known as the Order of St George. As a soldier himself, St George is also the patron saint of archers and chivalry as well as the scouting movement, and those with syphilis.
St George’s Day Celebrations
There is a growing movement to celebrate St George’s Day in England, and there have been campaigns to organise marches, or to wear red roses (despite it being early in the year for the blooms). However, these suggestions have been met with little enthusiasm, particularly when compared with the international celebrations for Ireland’s St Patrick.
William Shakespeare
It is often reported that William Shakespeare was born on St George’s Day in 1564 and died on the same date in 1616. These dates are often subject to dispute, but there is a poetry in England’s greatest writer sharing his date of birth and death with England’s patron saint.
The Dragon
The story dates from the 12th century, and tells how a town was being terrorised by a dragon. Human offerings were needed to keep the dragon peaceful, and a princess was to be the next sacrifice. Happily, St George happened by the town and managed to kill the dragon and save the princess.
The traditional Christian interpretation of this story is the triumph of good over evil, but given the date of St George’s day, a northern hemisphere reading of the tale could also be spring overcoming the darkness of winter.
Use and Abuse of the Emblem
St George’s flag is a red cross on a white background, and forms part of the Union Flag of the United Kingdom.
This emblem has been subject to commandeering by right wing nationalists in the past. In the last ten years, however, it has been reclaimed by English patriots of all political persuasions. This has been partly due to the use of the flag by football fans, in the same way that Scottish and Welsh supporters carry their national colours.
Sources: Patron Saints' Index,
Chambers Book of Days (Chambers, Edinburgh, 2005)
