April 23rd. St George’s Day. St George is, of course, the patron saint of England. And the Scout Movement. I’m not sure he existed, but he definitely killed a dragon to rescue a princess. That makes him a fearless hero, unless you regard dragons as an endangered species. That would change your perspective.
Anyroad, David Keen reckons the English should abandon St George so that Britain can have a single patron saint in St Aidan.
But Aidan didn’t kill any dragons. He doesn’t buckle a swash like George.
So my counter-proposal would be St Arthur. He had the courage to take on a dragon. And lost.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Tony Buglass 04.23.10 at 5:16 pm
Cuthbert. Proper English saint, took over from Aidan, did a great job.
Kim 04.23.10 at 6:50 pm
St. Michael. Marks & Spencer label. Quintessentially English. Great knickers.
Paul Martin 04.23.10 at 7:11 pm
Saint Michael Ashcroft!
Pam 04.24.10 at 5:07 am
St Andrew’s vineyard in South Australia does a very nice merlot.
Sally 04.24.10 at 5:54 pm
excellent article at the Guardian today reclaiming St George!
Richard 04.24.10 at 10:57 pm
That’s good stuff Sally. Thanks for sharing. I’ll be posting that.