ST GEORGE

(and the dragon?)


St George is the patron saint of England. Little is known of his life, but his historical existence is now generally accepted. He may have been martyred near Lydda in Palestine some time before the reign of Constantine (d.337), but his cult did not become popular until the 6th century and the slaying of the dragon (possibly derived form the legends of Perseus) was not attributed to him until the 12th century.

His rank as patron saint of England (in place of Edward the Confessor) probably dates from the reign of Edward III, who founded the Order of the Garter (c.1344) under the patronage of St George, who by that time was honoured as the ideal of chivalry.

There is a bronze statue of St George and the Dragon designed by the architect T.R. Spence, which can be found above the Baptistry at the West End of our church.