Happy St George’s Day!
As those of you who have finished Vampire Khan will know, a motif of the saint plays a part in the book and in the series to come. I chose it for a number of reasons, not least of which is the significance it has for the English from about that time onward, particularly from Edward III which we will see in Vampire Knight book 4.
Every year in Britain we see the same old stories in the media today. Stuff like: “Did you know St George was not actually English?” Yes, everyone knows that! He was a Christian Greek soldier of the Roman Empire, from Cappadocia or perhaps Syria who was martyred for refusing to sacrifice to the Roman gods.
He was a heroic figure to people right across Christendom and one who was particularly attractive to soldiers because he had been one himself. His popularity really took off across Christendom during and after the Crusades, probably partly because he was a local saint to some extent. He became the patron saint of England, Portugal, Romania, Georgia, Malta, Catalonia, Aragon and probably more I’m missing. Some people like to use this fact to cheapen the notion of George being the patron saint of England – he’s not “special” to one country. But that just betrays ignorance of our past pan-European (pan-Christendom) cultural history.
Why did his legend take off so much? Of course, it has to do with the the cool dragon slaying stuff, but perhaps not so much to do with the details of the story as it does the iconography itself. Interestingly, the image of a horseman driving his lance into a monster dates back way beyond the medieval period, so perhaps it is an overlaying of a more ancient motif, or rather a development / incarnation of the same one. But what did that motif represent? Clearly, heroism and bravery, honour, fame but also piety and righteousness. It was the perfect icon for the chivalric ideals of the age.
After it was adopted and promoted by the kings of England, it became a motif embraced by the English generally, and not just the nobles. How many Englishmen through history fought battles while crying his name? The idea of righteously charging down a monster with your lance couched, with God on your side, is a glorious and inspiring one whether you are a knight or an archer or a redcoated lieutenant in the 44th Regiment of Foot. It’s no surprise it has proved so popular and is so enduring.
A man and a legend to be admired and emulated. A hero for many people, yes indeed, and a hero for the English.
Happy St George’s Day!