Many years ago in what we now call Libya, there was a town plagued by a terrifying venomous dragon. The dragon, who lived in a nearby pond, caused death and destruction, infecting the crops with it’s poison and gobbling up all the town’s animals. To stop the Dragon from masticating everything, local people offered the dragon two sheep everyday, to satisfy it’s hunger. After many weeks of sacrificing livestock, the town’s sheep supplies had dwindled. To keep the dragon at bay, the towns people were forced to supplement the sheep with the old and the ill, sending one sheep and one person for sacrifice. More weeks passed and the town had burned through all the old and infirm they could muster. Finally, in their desperation, the people offered their children as tribute.
With options running out fast, the people devised a lottery to select which unfortunate souls would be given to the dragon next. On one dreaded morning, the King’s daughter’s was drawn and uproar ensued. The King offered all of his gold and all of his treasure to save his precious daughter, but what good would money be if the dragon attacked? The towns people refused and the Princess was sent to the pond, dressed as a bride, to face her fate.
St. George (just George at this point though) happened upon the Princess and vowed to rescue her. The Princess valiantly refused and told George to save himself. George, being the hero that he was, dismissed the Princess’ plea. Just at this moment, the dragon emerged from the pond, drawling venom and breathing fire. Without a second thought, George charged the dragon on his horse, lance in hand. His first strike wounded the beast in the chest, drawing dragon blood, felling the dragon to it’s knees. George called to the Princess to throw him her girdle (belt). He mounted the dragon, hauling the girdle around it’s thick scaley neck. Much bucking and tumbling followed but George held on and tamed the dragon. The dragon then followed George and the Princess like dog on a leash.
George led the dragon back to the town and offered to kill the beast if the towns people agreed to become Christians. The town rejoiced and baptised the entire shire, some 15,000 people. George kept his word, slayed the dragon and the legend of Saint George was born!
Unfortunately, this is not quite the truth. In actual fact, very little is known about the big guy. It is believed he was born into a noble christian family in modern day Turkey. His birth is estimated somewhere mid to late 3rd century. A competent soldier, George joined the army of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. However, this would lead to his demise. The Emperor wanted to quash the Christian uprising, an outsider and much maligned cult of followers at this point. Diocletian ordered the systematic persecution of all Christians, St. George refused and was tortured and killed, becoming one of Christianity’s early martyrs.
St. George is now famous for being England’s patron saint and we celebrate him every year on April 23rd.