saviour of the
maiden but, although this story exists in a number of different
medieval literary versions and artistic representations,
it is without any historical foundation and does not seem
to have existed before the 11th century.
There is, in fact, every reason to believe that George
was a genuine martyr who suffered at Lydda before the time
of Constantine. Indeed, certain accounts record his death
to be in the year 307. It is written that George was an
officer in the Roman army who, after giving his goods to
the poor at the outbreak of persecution, confessing his
Christian faith and refusing to sacrifice to the gods, suffered
"terrible tortures" which lasted for seven years
and was eventually beheaded.
In Jerusalem, a monastery was erected and dedicated to
him in the fifth century. Pilgrims in the Holy land between
the sixth and eighth centuries speak of Lydda as the main
place associated with George's cult (which resulted from
his exploits) and final resting place of his relics - although
the Coptic Church claims that these were transferred to
Egypt and finally placed in the church dedicated to him
in Old Cairo.
How he came to be regarded as patron of England is somewhat
unclear, but he has been recognised here from at least the
eighth century. His act of martyrdom was translated into
Anglo-Saxon by Abbot Aelfric (c. 955-1020) and some pre-conquest
churches were also dedicated to him (for example at Doncaster
in 1061).
In 1222 a national synod at Oxford included a feast in
George's honour among their lesser holidays, but it was
not until after the battle of Agincourt in 1415 that it
was included as one of the major feasts of the year. In
1348, King Edward III introduced the battle cry "St.
George for England" and later founded the Order of
the Garter, with St. George as it's patron.
George later went on to become patron saint of Venice,
Genoa, Portugal and Catalonia and his cult also became strong
in Russia and Ethiopia. |
