Saint George's Day - Who Was England's Patron Saint?

23 Apr 2024

Saint George’s Day (April 23) is England’s official holiday, celebrated on the date of St. George's death in 303 AD.

Who Was Saint George?

Saint George, a soldier from Cappadocian Greek (Central Turkey), was a member of the Praetorian Guard for the Roman emperor Diocletian. Honoured as a military saint since the Crusades, he is a highly respected saint and martyr in Christianity.

Saint George’s Day first became established during the Tudor period, when Saint George’s popularity was high during the Crusades and the Hundred Years’ War.

Saint George portrait by Hans von Kulmbach, circa 1510 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

How Is Saint George’s Day Celebrated?

In the early 15th Century, Saint George’s Day was a major feast and national holiday in England. Celebrations were so grand they were on a similar scale to Christmas. Over time, however, celebrations decreased, mainly towards the end of the 18th Century after the union of England and Scotland.

Celebrations still take place today, although on a smaller scale. These include pageants, eating traditional English food, Mummers’ plays, Morris dancing, Punch and Judy shows, and flying the Saint George’s Cross.

Saint George's Day Mummers play — Saint George’s Day Mummers play (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Morris dancing in York, England (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Saint George's Day Pageant in London, 2010 — Saint George’s Day Pageant in London, 2010 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Though it has been campaigned for, Saint George’s Day is not yet a public holiday in England.

Saint George and the Dragon

The legendary story of Saint George and the Dragon describes the saint taming and slaying a dragon that requires human sacrifices. It results in him rescuing a princess and saving her from being sacrificed.

Georgian text written in the 11th Century is the earliest record of Saint George slaying a dragon, which spread through the 12th Century via the Crusades. The legend became popular in the 13th Century due to Latin adaptions and its courtly setting of romantic chivalry.

Saint George and the Dragon Stained Glass Window, Church of St Mary the Virgin, South Darley, Derbyshire — Saint George and the Dragon stained glass window at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, South Darley, Derbyshire (Source: Flickr)

English Nationalism

English nationalists use the national flag of England, the Saint George’s Cross.

Far-right English nationalists initially used the flag, such as the British National Party (BNP) (founded in 1982) and, more recently, the English Defence League (EDL) (founded in 2009).

English Defence League (EDL) march in Newcastle (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The flag's association with far-right nationalism has dropped due to the widespread use of the flag at sporting events, mainly during the 1990s. Today, the flag of Saint George is flown across the country, in private, public, and by local authorities.

Saint George's Day, 2011 at Trafalgar Square, London — Saint George’s Day, 2011 at Trafalgar Square, London (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The association between far-right nationalism and the Saint George’s Cross can make celebrating Saint George’s Day difficult. However, the more distance between far-right nationalism, the Saint George’s Cross and Saint George’s Day, the less this is an issue.

Child wearing Saint George's Cross hat — Child wearing Saint George’s Cross hat (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The Saint George’s Day / Leydon Lettings logo

The Leydon Lettings logo symbolises the flag of Saint George.

Saint George’s flag is a red cross on a white background, similar to Saint David’s flag.

The Leydon logo also occupies the canton space on the flag – the top hoist corner.

The canton space on a flag often shows affiliation or unity to the country or organisation occupying it.

Common Wealth countries' flags – such as Australia and New Zealand – often have the Union Jack occupying their flags' canton space.

Saint George's Day Leydon Lettings Logo (Source: Archive)

“I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start. The game’s afoot; Follow your spirit: and upon this charge, Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George!”

― William Shakespeare