On the 23rd of April, many people in England celebrate St Georges Day. However, although some people celebrate it, many of these people don’t know the real reason as to why. A lot of people were brought up on hearing the story of the great St George who slayed a dragon and saved a princess; but this is just a legend. Shocking right? So who is St George and why do we celebrate a guy who supposedly killed a dragon in the stories we were told as we grew up, when he didn’t?

The legend states that St George heard of a village in danger of a Dragon, on his white horse he slew the dragon and saved the village Princess. This story is now told throughout the world, told to children as bedtime stories and St George is celebrated through parades and dancing.

So who actually is St George?

St George was born in Turkey in 280 AD, and was a Christian soldier in the Roman army. At the time there was a Roman Emperor who despised Christians, so much so that he wanted to ensure that there were no Christians in his army. This was a problem for the Roman Emperor Diocletian as St George was seen as one of his most trusted soldiers, not wanting to kill St George the Emperor tried to bribe St George with land and money; being loyal to his faith he refused time and time again, eventually standing up to the Emperor in front of his soldiers, shaming Emperor Diocletian. By doing this the Emperor killed St George on the 23rd April 303, resulting in St George in being seen as a hero and celebrated for his loyalty and bravery.

In 1222, April the 23rd was declared to be known as St Georges Day celebrate his bravery and commitment to his religion by the Council of Oxford; then in 1348 he became known as England’s Patron Saint. However it only became a National holiday and feast day in 1415, causing people to throw parades and some people even wear a rose on their lapel (near the collar of suits) to show their appreciation to St George. Although he became England’s Patron Saint, in the 18th century the National holiday ceased and St George’s day is less celebrated today; but some towns do still celebrate.

Written by Alana Constant, Thamesview School