The Medals of Saint George
The Awards Given in the Name of the Patron Saint of England
Saint George is the Patron Saint of soldiers, chivalry and England. Many English Kings have named medals in his honour.
Saint George of the legendary dragon tale is venerated for his defence of the poor and defenceless. This and his bravery in battling the dragon are the reasons why he is now the Patron Saint of soldiers, England and chivalry.
Saint George's Battle Tales
Saint George was named the Patron Saint of soldiers after he was said to have appeared at the head of a cavalry of heavenly white horses to the Crusader army at the Battle of Antioch in 1098.
During the reign of Edward III George became the Patron Saint of England. When riding into battle he bid his soldiers to wear the Saint George flag both on the front and back of their armour so as to give them protection and also to create a fearsome regimented sight for all they met.
In Spencer's famous poem The Faerie Queene reference is made to George and the dragon as Saint George is seen as protector of the Virgin. It is thought that this was an allegory for the Anglican church upholding Elizabeth I's monarchy. Elizabeth is sometimes referred to as the Faerie Queene or the Virgin Queen.
Honours of Saint George
Due to his patronage of soldiers, defence of the defenceless, chivalry and of course England many medals and military honours have been given in George's name. In addition, the banner that he wore of a red cross on a white background was adopted as both the English flag and the Royal Navy White Ensign.
In 1818 George IV created the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and St George. This was first given just to Britons serving in Malta and the Ionian islands whilst they had been under British protection but is now given to any foreigners who perform distinguished service in a Commonwealth country. The medal shows George and the dragon on one side and Saint Michael and the Devil on the other.
The image of George and the Dragon were both used during World War II for the George Cross and the George Medal. The cross and medal were named after King George VI. Both were created to reflect the heroism of soldiers and inhabitants of England and Commonwealth countries during the mass bombing by the Luftwaffe. The George cross is for acts of great heroism and courage in the face of extreme danger and is usually for civillians but was awarded to military personnel aswell as many of the acts they performed were outside of their military duties and expectations. The George Medal is for slightly lesser acts of courage. Both are a silver cross with the image of George and the dragon.
Saint George is the Patron Saint of soldiers, boy scouts, cavalry, chivalry, farmers, field workers, butchers, horses, riders, saddlers, sufferers of leprosy, plague and syphilis.
He is also the Patron Saint of England, Aragon, Catalonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Moscow, Istanbul, Genoa and Venice.
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