Every nation has its own ‘Patron Saint’ who in times of great peril
is called upon to help save the country from its enemies.
St David is the
patron saint of Wales, St Andrew of Scotland and St Patrick of
Ireland - St George being the patron saint of England.
But who was St. George, and what did he do to
become England’s Patron Saint?
Very little is known about St. George’s life,
but it is thought he was a high ranking officer in the Roman army
who was killed in around AD 303.
It seems that the Emperor Diocletian had St.
George tortured to make him deny his faith in Christ. However
despite some of the most terrible torture even for that time, St
George showed incredible courage and faith and was finally beheaded
near Lydda in Palestine. His head was later taken to Rome where it
was interred in the church dedicated to him.
King Edward III
made him the Patron Saint of
England when he formed the Order of the Garter in St. George's name
in 1350, and the cult of the Saint was further advanced by
King
Henry V, at the battle of Agincourt in northern France.
Shakespeare made sure that nobody would forget
St. George, and has King Henry V finishing his pre-battle speech
with the famous phrase, ‘Cry God for Harry, England and St. George!’
King Henry himself, who was both warlike and
devout, was thought by his followers to possess many of the saint’s
characteristics.
St. George’s Day is still celebrated, and his
flag flown, on his feast day, April 23rd all over
England.
An interesting piece of trivia - Shakespeare
was born on St. George’s Day. 1564, and if the story is to be
believed, died on St. George’s Day, 1616.
An appropriate end perhaps for the man who
helped to immortalise the Saint in English tradition.
Useful Information:
The Royal Society of St George
-
http://www.royalsocietyofstgeorge.com
Shakespeare Birthday
Celebrations, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire: Saturday 26th and
Sunday 27th April 2008.
