George of England

Though nothing is known of his life, his authenticity is generally accepted. He is believed to have been martyred in the third century, probably at Lydda in Palestine. Mythical tales about George abound, and the best known of these is the story of “George and the Dragon.” This later medieval tale from the “Golden Legend” of James of Voraigne really derives from Perseus's killing of the sea monster which threatened Andromeda. This event had supposedly occurred at Jaffa, near Lydda, and so George, through his connection with Lydda, inherited the tale. It has not been established why he became so popular in England. He was already known there in Anglo- Saxon times, and by 1222 his feast day was being celebrated. Edward III's famous Order of the Garter adopted George as its patron, and during that reign he became patron of England as well.