St George: Hero, Martyr and Myth

Who was St George and how did he become patron saint not only of England but in many European countries?

Who was St George and how did he become patron saint not only of England but also of many other European countries? In this richly illustrated book, Samantha Riches explores the extraordinary wealth of myths and legends, art and inspiration that has grown up around the obscure fourth-century Christian martyr.

The visual arts of medieval and renaissance Europe bear eloquent testimony to the range of significant cultural roles of St George. A hero and martyr who was venerated as a symbol of chivalry, he was also an emblem of both chastity and fertility, and was a signifier of the power of the urban elite. Using historical, art historical and literary evidence, Riches creates a vivid and compelling narrative, paying close attention to the symbolism of the saint’s combat with the dragon and its development as the most significant aspect of his legend and cult.

The complex medieval psychology revealed by her study of this motif reveals some astonishing results, not least the implications of the discovery of a number of representations of female dragons.