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St George's Day celebrations

From medieval times to the present day, Salisbury has a proud history of celebrating St George's Day in style.

To celebrate St George's Day is to celebrate our Englishness: the history, culture and heritage that has created our nation. And where better to celebrate this on April 23rd than in one of England's most historic cities.

So who was St George?

The life of England's patron saint is shrouded in legend – so much so that fact has merged with fiction. But St George was initially promoted to patron saint in 1061, when a church in Doncaster was dedicated to him.

Our first literary reference to him in history comes from the Anglo-Saxon prose writer, Aelfric, who reveres him in his Lives of the Saints (c.1000).

George also appears in the Golden Legends, an English translation of Jacobus de Voragine's Saint's Lives published by Caxton in 1483.

Enter the dragon

The story we know today of Saint George and the Dragon dates from the troubadours of the 14th century.

In the story, a dragon is terrorising the villages near Silena, in Libya. Lots are drawn in local villages, and maidens fed to the dragon to keep the peace. Saint George kills the dragon with a single blow from his lance, and then converted the locals to Christianity.

As well as being patron saint of England, St George was also adopted as the Saint of Battles. This was partly because he was a soldier, but also because he is said to have appeared to the Christian army before the Battle of Antioch.

He is also said to have appeared to King Richard I (the Lionheart) during his Crusade against the Saracens.

Harry, England and St George

In 1222 the Council of Oxford appointed April 23rd as St. George's feast day. Then later, Edward III formed the Order of the Garter in St. George's name in 1350.

The cult of the saint was further advanced by Shakespeare in Henry V. Shakespeare gives Henry an unforgettable speech before he leads his troops into battle at Agincourt.

'Cry God for Harry, England and St George!'

And in that year, St George was named England's patron saint.

Of course, St George is also a popular figure outside England. In fact he is the patron saint of Portugal, Catalonia, Venice and Genoa.

Why is Salisbury so keen on celebrating St George's Day?

Celebrating St. George's Day promotes Salisbury and district as a unique destination that combines history with vibrancy.

And you may have noticed the numerous references to St.George in and around the city: The Old George Mall, the George and Dragon pub, Gilbert the Dragon – a flower dragon who comes out in the summer months. Plus there are numerous depictions of St George around the city. Salisbury Cathedral bears a statue of St George with dragon's head, and he is even depicted in one of the cathedral's stained glass windows.

St. George's Day events

St George's Day 2008 will be celebrated on Sunday 20 April in true Salisbury style with timeless entertainment: street theatre, pageantry, dancing, wandering minstrels and a few dragons to be slain!

Contact

For more information on Salisbury's St George's Day celebrations, or if you are organising a St George's Day event in the district, get in touch with Salisbury City Centre Management.

email: ccm@salisbury.gov.uk
Phone: 01722 434681
Post: Salisbury City Centre Management
3 Rollestone Street
Salisbury SP1 1DX

Enjoy St George's Day!