WITH St George's Day looming, readers may be interested to learn that St George is not and never has been the patron saint of the English people.
Several centuries before the reformation, St George was declared by Rome to be the official Protector Of The Realm.
From the time of Richard I (12th century) he became the personal patron of the kings of England and thus has come to be accepted as England's patron saint. However, the patron saint of the English race has always been St Edmund, who was martyred defending his kingdom on November 20, 869AD, against marauding Danes.
Up until the reign of Edward III (14th century) St Edmund was illustrated in the banner carried by the English sovereign in dedication of the first English pilgrim hospice in Rome, but was then removed.
Further evidence of St Edmund being the patron saint of the English race can be found in the place-name of Bury St Edmunds, once the city of his shrine, and in the Wilton Diptych in the National Gallery, where he is shown first in a line of English patrons.
Clearly, the Royal Family has reason to celebrate St George's Day, but the rest of us commoners should really celebrate St Edmund's Day on November 20. Better still, let's celebrate both (any excuse for a drink!).
Tony Taylor, Grassholme, Woodthorpe, York.
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