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Happy St George's Day

Events calendar sponsored by

St George's Day takes place on the 23 April each year to celebrate England's patron saint. Local communities host a number of events in aid of St George's Day, so check your local weather forecast before heading off to celebrations in your area. You may also find a number of re-enactments of the St George and the dragon story taking place in your local area.

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St George's Day

Who was St George?

St George was a Roman soldier who was born in Turkey and thought to have lived between the 2nd and 3rd centuries. 

Both of George's parents were Christians and George protested against Rome's persecution of Christians. George was imprisoned and beaten for his beliefs and was later beheaded. His body was returned to Israel, where he had been raised by his mother. As news spread of his death he soon became known as a martyr within the Christian community. 

George was made a saint by the middle of the 4th century but it took until 1222 for the story of St George to reach England where his name was brought back by those fighting abroad. 

It is thought that George was officially made the patron saint of England after England won the battle of Agincourt in 1415. 

St George and the dragon

The most famous story of St George is his encounter with the dragon. There are many versions of the myth but common threads in all stories include:

1. A town terrorised by a dragon.
2. A princess captured by the dragon.
3. George hearing of the kidnap and riding to the town.
4. George slaying the dragon and saving the princess.

The history surrounding the life and stories of St George are known throughout the world and he is not only patron saint of England but of a number of other countries too. His history has been told in a number of different ways as his life was not documented until the 12th century.