St. George's Day is on 23 April. It is England's national day.
Who was St George?
St. George is the patron saint of England. His emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. St George's emblem was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king's soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle.
Like England, every country within the United Kingdom has its own patron saint who in times of great peril is called upon to help save the country from its enemies. For instant, Wales has St David, St Patrick for Northern Ireland and St Andrew for Scotland.
Who was the real St George and what did he do to become England's patron saint?
St. George was born in Turkey sometime in the third century. At the age of seventeen he joined the Roman army and became renowned for his bravery and feats of arms. The most famous story of St. George is that he slew a Dragon somewhere in Libya. On one of his missions, St. George was sent to England. While in England he heard about the horrible persecutions of Christians in Rome. Returning to Rome, George pleaded for mercy for the Christians, but in the end was himself beheaded when he refused to renounce his faith. In 1222 AD, the Council of Oxford declared St. George as the Patron Saint of England (replacing Edward the Confessor).
St George is always depicted as a knight carrying a shield with a red cross (or a banner with a red cross), generally sitting upon a horse and always killing a dragon. 
How does England celebrate St George's Day?
By tradition, 23 April is the day for a red rose in the button hole, the national flower. However, unlike other countries, England does not celebrate it like Americans celebrate 4 July with fireworks. In fact, you are more likely to see big St Patrick parades in England celebrating Ireland's National Day, more than you would see any sign of St Georges Day being celebrated.
For most people in England St George's Day is just another ordinary working day.
Factoid!
Shakespeare was born on 23 April 1564 and he died on the same day in 1616.
Whilst not all of the following, strictly speaking, have much to do with St George and the Dragon you will have to admit they do have something to do with dragons!
Sewing Pattern – Little Fairytale Dragon by Fantasy Creations
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8 comments:
What a fun history lesson. I knew nothing about St. George!! And you even found some BBEST listings to relate to him - awesome!!
Very interesting post! Well done, Pat!
Love the dragons ! I remember studying about
St. George in school. Thanks for the great post.
Very interesting, Pat!! Great items to commemorate St. George. We drove past the coolest looking church one time (I can't remember where) that was St. George's Church and it had a huge full color basrelief on the front of St. George slaying his dragon. hummmm, I wonder where we saw that church?
Great post and very interesting! Love the dragon items you found!
Wow, not only an interesting story but whoever thought you'd be able to find so many "dragons" within our group! Cool.
Yay for St George!
So interesting! Love the art that goes with the article!
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