TODAY is St George’s Day but how much do you really know about England’s patron saint?

One thing everybody probably knows is the mythical story that St George slayed a dragon, rescuing the princess and freeing a village from its terror.

Although clearly not true, the story is a metaphorical retelling of the knight’s story.

Born in Turkey, St George served as a soldier under Diocletian, a cruel emperor who decreed his people practise no other religion than the pagan one he believed in.

St George was ordered to torture Christians but refused. He confessed to being a Christian himself and criticised the actions of his emperor.

Before his arrest, he gave his property to the poor and freed his slaves. He was beheaded on April 23, having never renounced his faith.

It is this sense of honour and his association with soldiering that meant St George became England’s patron saint in the 14th century. King Edward, reigning then, was interested in codes of knighthood and chivalry and deposed England’s patron saint of the time, St Edmund, in favour of St George.

The White Cross in North Cray Road was originally named after St George’s symbol the red cross but it had to be renamed in 1935 due to the National Treaty which meant the name became protected. Now only the International Red Cross can use it.

Many British people from the world of arts are also remembered on St George’s Day. William Shakespeare’s birthday and anniversary fall on the patron saint’s day, while watercolourist Joseph Turner was born on this day in 1775.

There is even a song about St George:

Liberator of Captives,

And defender of the poor,

Physician of the sick,

And champion of kings,

O trophy bearer and great martyr George,

intercede with Christ our God that our souls might be saved.