Posted on April 21st, 2015
The History behind St George’s Day
He’s the patron saint of England with his red cross taking pride of place on the English and British flag. But St George never actually stepped foot in England! He was in fact a Roman soldier and early Christian martyr who died in Palestine in 303 AD.
It wasn’t until much later that St George’s star really started to rise – when a vision of the saint appeared to 11th century English Crusaders fighting in Jerusalem, inspiring Richard the Lion Heart to bring his emblem back to England. By the 14th century English soldiers were wearing the St George’s cross on their chests and backs as he became the special protector of England.
On April 23rd 1415 St George’s Day was declared a national feast day and holiday in England and wearing a red rose became a traditional custom. St George’s Day then remained a national holiday for nearly three centuries, until after the union with Scotland.
St George and the dragon
The famous story about St George slaying a dragon and rescuing a fair maiden from death dates back well over a millennium. But it was during the Middle Ages that the story really took hold, with a dragon often being used to represent the Devil. The tale goes that a town was being terrorised by a dragon and the only way to pacify it was to offer up a princess as a sacrifice. St George, upon hearing the news, mounted his trusty steed and, sword in hand, rode into the town, effortlessly slaying the dragon and rescuing said fair damsel from distress (although he allegedly had a bit of help from an enchanted orange tree!).
St George’s Day today
St George’s Day is still commemorated on 23 April, but unlike St David’s Day in Wales or St Patrick’s Day in Ireland it often passes with few celebrations or special foods. In fact, an estimated 1 in 5 of us don’t even know on which day St George’s Day is held!
Many believe St George’s Day should be re-instated as a public holiday. Did you know Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the current Patron of the Royal Society of St George? The Society has enjoyed the patronage of a reigning monarch ever since Queen Victoria became their first.
On the English Heritage’s website you can find out more about St George, and possibly some facts you didn’t know. Read their page ‘9 Things you Didn’t know About St George‘ …always useful for the Zoom quiz!
So let’s make St George’s Day a day dedicated to enjoying traditional English foods, such as Arments traditional Pie & Mash! You can order online, purchase from one of our Licensed Sellers or pop into our shop in Westmoreland Road for a takeaway.