Happy St George's Day

[HeyWayne]

....and I'm a little Sant's helper

See, you're getting your letters all in a twuddle again. Satan is your master!

[Alison C]

Im not exactly sure why he is the patron saint of england as he is turkish. I think he also the patron saint of about seven other countries.

[piskieinboots]

hehehehe ooops and now I can't correct it cos it would make you look really silly and I'd never do that now would I *evil chuckle

oh and I got 72%, I blame to Cornish bit in me!

[HeyWayne]

Im not exactly sure why he is the patron saint of england as he is turkish. I think he also the patron saint of about seven other countries.

Hey, our Queen's German, our Prime Minister is Scottish, we ain't fussy!

[piskieinboots]

Im not exactly sure why he is the patron saint of england as he is turkish. I think he also the patron saint of about seven other countries.

Here we go:
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.

Stories of his strength and courage soon spread throughout Europe. The best-known story about St. George is his fight with a dragon, but it is highly unlikely that he ever fought a dragon, and even more unlikely that he ever visited England, however his name was known there as early as the eighth-century.

In the Middle Ages the dragon was commonly used to represent the Devil. Unfortunately the many legends connected with St. George’s name are fictitious, and the slaying of the ‘Dragon’ was first credited to him in the twelfth-century.

St. George, so the story goes, killed a dragon on the flat topped Dragon Hill in Uffington, Berkshire, and it is said that no grass grows where the dragon’s blood trickled down!

It was probably the 12th century Crusaders however who first invoked his name as an aid in battle.

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.

[lainey lou]

You tried that peachy flavoured ale lainey? Quite refreshing, can't for the life of me remember what's it's called though.

No, remember, remember!! It sounds good!

[Alison C]

Ok so this fella never visited england and had nothing to do with england and is famous for killing a dragon which didnt happen but he did refuse to denounce his faith and got his head chopped off. Good for him but I dont get why he is our patron saint.

Happy england day

[piskieinboots]

..... but I dont get why he is our patron saint.

he was the only one that would take the job

[littlegreenman]

Happy St.George's Day

[Alison C]

Originally posted by piskieinboots
he was the only one that would take the job

Well thats good enough for me!

[SarzWix]

and take the English test if you're brave enough

Just did the test and was chuffed to get 76% It entered me in a comp to win a pair of casks, OH would be happy to see those turn up on the doorstep

[HeyWayne]

No, remember, remember!! It sounds good!

Hall and Woodhouse - Independent Family Brewers - Beers - Badger Ales - Golden Glory

Found it!

[lainey lou]

Hall and Woodhouse - Independent Family Brewers - Beers - Badger Ales - Golden Glory

Found it!

ooooooooh, sounds nice, will have to get some of that! Thanks Wayne.

[HeyWayne]

ooooooooh, sounds nice, will have to get some of that! Thanks Wayne.

It's a lovely summer drink.

[lainey lou]

don't think I can wait that long.