Little is known about George, who was killed for his faith in Palestine at the beginning of the fourth century.  Believed to be a soldier in the Roman army, he was involved in the organization of a Christian community at Urmiah (modern Iran) and visited Britain on an imperial expedition.

During the reign of Edward III (14th Century) he was made a patron of the kingdom.  George is also patron of several Mediterranean and European countries and cities and the Boy Scouts.

George has figured prominently in popular feasts and folklore: 12th-century literature hailed him as the dragon-slayer.  During the Middle Ages, he was a popular patron of knights, soldiers and crusaders, who adopted what was called St. George’s Arms, a red cross on a white background.

The red cross appears on the modern Union Jack.