On a quite serious point, why do we celebrate St George as our patron saint (and why is that associated with English nationalism)?
He was a Roman born in what was Syria, and which would now be Israel, to Greek and Palestinian parents. He died in what would today be Turkey.
The George & The Dragon story [allegedly] occurred in Libya.
Of course, also worth pointing out he was part of the crusades - which were Roman Catholic. Britain hasn't been predominantly Catholic since Henry the 8th..
It just doesn't actually make much sense to me..
Makes more sense to celebrate Shakespeare's 450th birthday which is today.
When St George's Day or St Mark's Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter.
St. Edmund was patron saint of England up until the 14th Century or so. Given that Anglo-Saxon England was represented by a dragon I've always found the imposition of St. George onto the English by their Norman lords to be an act of oppression. They were basically saying they'd slayed the English dragon.
St. Edmund was patron saint of England up until the 14th Century or so. Given that Anglo-Saxon England was represented by a dragon I've always found the imposition of St. George onto the English by their Norman lords to be an act of oppression. They were basically saying they'd slayed the English dragon.
And yet we're supposed to celebrate it....
I do fully take your point, edEx. Of course it has it's roots in history and the facts cant be denied. Personally I think that nowadays it's more about simply just taking pride in ones country ( for those that care ). Very few seem to IMO.
Comments
No, St Cuthbert was an early Anglo Saxon St and the Anglo Saxon flag was the White Dragon on a red ground.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_the_Martyr
That would look nice next to my Red Dragon... so yes, let's have that one.
Makes more sense to celebrate Shakespeare's 450th birthday which is today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNzldCAYgKE
http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/the-calendar/common-worship-rules/rulesyear.aspx
Maybe they are worried that if they celebrate this day it may " offend " some people .
Thanks for the good wishes from the other parts of the UK also x
English and Proud:cool:
And yet we're supposed to celebrate it....
I do fully take your point, edEx. Of course it has it's roots in history and the facts cant be denied. Personally I think that nowadays it's more about simply just taking pride in ones country ( for those that care ). Very few seem to IMO.