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But why don’t we make a fuss of ol’ George?
As a child, I don’t remember when I first became aware of Saint George. I certainly don’t recall being taught about him in any detail – something vague about slaying a dragon – although where this came into Christianity, or even anything to do with England, I didn’t know. My whole contribution to the legacy of the saints of the British Isles was to wear a daffodil on Saint David’s Day to celebrate my Welsh heritage – but I knew even less about David than I did about George. I even reckon I recognised the red on white cross from the Knights Templar and the crusades before I knew it was the cross of Saint George. And when I did find out? I never thought to investigate why it had been considered such a powerful symbol. It had never seemed that important.
So when, early this week, I decided to do a bit of research on the legendary figure of George, I was astonished at the rich legacy - so little of which had anything to do with dragons.
George was a soldier in the Roman Army, born around 280 AD, is what is now modern Turkey. Renowned for his virtuous behavior, his courage in battle and his physical strength, George soon rose through the ranks to become in charge of one thousand men and, according to the legend, a favourite of the Emperor Diocletian. However, when the Emperor began to persecute the Christians, no amount of favouritism stopped him from ordering George’s arrest for having converted to the faith. George used his standing to lessen the excessive actions of the Romans against the Christians and denounced Diocletian’s cruelty. When he refused to renounce God under torture, Diocletian had him executed by beheading on 23rd April 303 AD.
His reputation spread quickly, and to this day, many countries honour the name of Saint George as a symbol of chivalry and courage – a figure from who the crusaders drew inspiration, hence the red crosses on the white tabards of the English knights who rode to Palestine. In 1415, Saint George became the patron saint of England when Henry V won the Battle of Agincourt. ‘Cry God for Harry, England and Saint George’ anyone?
But why, if Saint George was a celebrated figure of virtue, chivalry, faith and charity is he so apparently neglected in England today? Surely, even if you’re a skeptical Christian, like me, or not even Christian at all, it’s a good story – and while the legend of Saint George may have become embellished over the centuries, it doesn’t really affect his status as a man who fought to overcome what he saw as wrong in the “dragon” of Roman tyranny. In my opinion, a chivalrous defender of the weak and upholder of justice isn’t a figure we should be neglecting so easily.
In England, Saint Andrew is practically a nonentity (Burns Night is a bigger deal), the same for Saint David while Saint Patrick’s Day is usually seen as a harmless excuse for a party. But the flag of Saint George has too often become ingrained in peoples’ minds as the property of football louts or right-wing nutcases. That phrase, dreaded in our politically correct-obsessed world, “English Nationalism”, is enough to deter most people from hoisting the red cross of our patron Saint. And campaigns to up the ante on Saint George’s Day are almost all founded on what seems to be an exclusive basis, with most web-pages capitalising any mention of ENGLAND and ENGLISH to emphasise who exactly is included in these celebrations.
Or are they?
Well, actually, most of the websites I looked at made the significant point of NOT defining Englishness, and certainly gave no indication of any sense of superiority – much to my relief. Most of the events were merely dedicated to celebrating harmless aspects of English tradition such as English music, or Morris Dancing (if you don’t know what this is, you are missing out). All the events were ones that I would happily attend without a twinge of conscience over the possibility of taking part in an exclusive event.
Okay, so we’re not Catholic. We’re not even all, ethnically, English, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate our collective culture. I reckon it’s about time we gave Saint George a bit more recognition. I have always referred to myself as British rather than English, but that doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate Saint George as much as I would the other saints of the British Isles. And it certainly doesn’t mean I’d deny anybody else’s right to call themselves British or English.
Chivalry, valour, charity, virtue and faith in a better way of doing things… what’s not to like?
Maybe George has one last dragon to conquer – that of our obsession with political correctness.
Great article. It's something I've never really considered, but figures as seemingly out-dated or irrelevant as patron saints may actually embody values we admire in our society, including championing religious toleration. Perhaps reminding people of this might give the English flag positive connotations, rather than the uneasy associations it has sometimes with right-wing nationalism.
I'm not sure whether it's political correctness that is the problem, though. Anyone should feel free to fly the flag if they desire, and no-one is saying it's un-PC to do so (I'm not English, it doesn't make me feel exclduded or offended, and I doubt it does anyone). And if we're celebrating a figure like St. George, I don't think that accusation could be levelled either.
Thank you for this! It is this sort of thinking that helps wrench England and its flag out of the hands of the mindless and racist...although I do not feel that the flag, or concepts of Englishness, are terribly in peril. Even in football, the vast majority of fans use the flag in a joyful way. It's always saddening when you bump into people that for possibly very good reasons have associated the use of the flag with violence or bigotry. I have always thought of the cross of St George as a symbol of everything I love about England and the English. But then we all have our own Englands, I guess... To me, it is the flag of great music, banter and a sense of humour, of the landscape and architecture, of the sort of liberty that both includes and lives and lets live. It excludes no-one and can embrace many and is nothing to do with repression or meanness. While I can't make everyone see it that way, I think the sort of thinking in this article emboldens that stance.
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