Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit; upon the charge
Cry God for Harry, England and St. GEORGE!
William Shakespear.
Henry V, Act 3, Scene 1.
Some legends tell of him as a Roman soldier of noble birth, who was put to death on 23rd April AD303.
According to various versions in the Eastern Church, he was beheaded by Dioletian for protesting against the Emperor's persecution of Christians. Because of this he became venerated as a protector of the poor and of the Christian faith.
George became well known in England in the early 8th century. Recordings dating form 1601 tell of him visiting Glastonbury and Doncaster.
Many stories were told of him by Crusaders who had heard them from the Byzantine soldiers. They told of how he had performed many miracles.
He first became recognised as a saint in 900 AD. A lesser holiday was declared in honour of him by the Synod of Oxford in 1222. It was not until the 14th century that he was made Patron Saint of England.
Archbishop Chichele made the day into a great Feast in 1415, but in 1778 it reverted to a simple day of devotion for English Catholics.
The banner of Saint George has the red cross of a martyr on a white background. It was soon to become the flag of England and the ensign for the Royal Navy.
Edward III adopted St George as principle Patron of his new Order of Chivalry, The Knights Of The Garter, in 1348.
In 1818 the Prince Regent created the 'Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George'. William IV reorganised this into 3 classes -
Knight of The Grand Cross (GOMG)
Knight Comander (KCMG)
Companion (CMG)
In 1940 The George cross was created for 'acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger'.
Here is a list of some of his patronages -
1. England
2. Chivalry/cavalry
3. Soldiers
4. Farmers
5. Boy Scouts
6. Butchers
7. Horses
8. Riders
9. Archers
10. Sufferers of Plague, Syphilis and Leprosy
