St. George and the Dragons

de Michael Collins

St George’s Day has become a popular celebration and topic of debate. But who was St George? How did this Palestinian martyr become England’s patron saint and an icon of English culture? And what is his relevance for today’s secular, multicultural England? In this survey, which contains over 150 black-and-white illustrations, Oxford-trained historian Michael Collins clearly presents what modern research, sometimes surprisingly, has discovered about how the legend of St George the dragon-slayer grew up and the origin of the cross of St George, the myriad ways the figure of St George appears in English culture, and what St George has to do with English identity. The roles of Richard I, Edward III and Henry VIII in making St George England's patron saint are discussed. With a foreword by Professor Emeritus Dan Brown, this highly-readable, thought-provoking celebration of English culture shows how St George can be reinterpreted for our times while remaining true to our English heritage. English yet international, revered both by Christians and Muslims, St George is a multicultural figure who symbolizes universal values. Anyone interested in St George will find a wealth of information and stimulating discussion in this book. Journalists, teachers and clergy will find it useful. Guides to further reading provide ample resources for further study and enjoyment of English heritage.