George, Saint

(flourished 3rd century—died traditionally Lydda, Palestine; feast day April 23) Early Christian martyr and patron saint of England. His historical existence is uncertain, but from the 6th century he was the subject of legends as a warrior-saint. He was said to have rescued a Libyan king's daughter from a dragon, which he killed in return for a promise that the king's subjects would be baptized. In art, the young saint often wears knight's armor ornamented with a scarlet cross. He probably became England's patron saint in the 14th century, when Edward III made him patron of the Order of the Garter.