By Ridge Johnson
Transcript:
Imagine a medieval pilgrim, dusty from travel, arriving at a shrine. Sewn onto their cloak is a small badge, an image of Saint George, the dragon-slayer. This tiny object, like the one preserved by the British Museum, tells a much bigger story. How did St. George, a figure from Christian legend, become one of the most important symbols of English identity, and how did his legend spread across the world?
In The Golden Legend, compiled by Jacobus de Voragine, George is presented as a Christian martyr and hero. His most famous legend tells of a dragon terrorizing a city. George confronts the beast, defeats it, rescues a princess, and converts the city to Christianity. Whether this story actually happened or not was the point for Historical readers. What actually mattered was the meaning behind the story. The Dragon represents evil and chaos, and is an analogy for Satan. George represents faith and courage, and in my analogy, is taking the place of Jesus. His victory shows readers one simple fact, and that is that faith triumphs over evil. This simple story was easy to share and easy to visualize, which is a key point in why his story spread so far.[1]
Pilgrim badges, like the one preserved by the British Museum, show how people engaged with his story. These small metal badges were worn by travelers visiting holy sites, and this one, in particular, most likely comes from St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. They acted as souvenirs, proof of pilgrimage, and even as protective charms. Carrying these badges was like carrying a part of Saint George with you to protect you, and it gave you something to physically remind you of the power of the Saint. The badge also shows that faith isn’t limited to the upper classes; it was a part of daily life, able to be carried with you daily.
However, what made Saint George so appealing to the kings and knights of England? Saint George was not originally from England; his story actually has roots in the Mediterranean, specifically Greece and modern-day Turkey. The story eventually spread across the rest of Europe, some scholars theorizing that Islamic variations of the stories were brought back by crusaders from their time in the holy land. The establishment of Saint George as the patron of England lies with these stories coming over, and the Establishment of the Order of the Garter by Edward III. In the 14th century, Edward founded the Order of the Garter, an elite group of knights and the highest level of honor in the kingdom. At its center was Saint George. By aligning the kingdom with George, Edward connected England to ideals of chivalry, honor, faith, and divine favor.[2]
William Mark Ormrod argues that St. George’s image as a warrior perfectly fits a warrior society. He became a model for knights and a symbol of unity for the kingdom, and the establishment of the Order of the Garter is one of the major reasons why his popularity skyrocketed to eventually make him the Patron Saint of the country. By becoming this symbol of strength, his story bloomed into something far greater than just a simple story. It was the heart of an entire people.[3]
What makes St. George so remarkable is his flexibility. He exists on multiple levels at once. In stories, he’s a spiritual hero. On pilgrim badges, he’s a personal protector. In royal courts, he’s a national symbol. Together, these narratives tell the same story. Good triumphs over evil.
Saint George is not just a saint, and the badge isn’t just a badge. Together, they tell a story of courage, chivalry, and, most importantly, to the travelers who would carry badges like the one preserved by the British Museum, Saint George represents all the values they hold to their highest degree of honor. He is a saint of motion, carried by pilgrims, reshaped by kingdoms, and continually reimagined along the routes of the medieval world.
[1] Jacobus de Voragine, The Golden Legend, or Lives of the Saints, vol. 3, trans. William Caxton, ed. F. S. Ellis (London: J. M. Dent, 1900; repr., 1922, 1931).
[2] Florence H. R. Scott, “How English Is Saint George?” Florence HRS (Substack), accessed March 5, 2026, https://florencehrs.substack.com/p/how-english-is-saint-george 1-3.
[3] William Mark Ormrod, “The Foundation and Early Development of the Order of the Garter in England, 1348–1399,” Frühmittelalterliche Studien 50 (2016). 389
Bibliography:
The Trustees of the British Museum. “Pilgrim Badge (Museum Number 1913,0619.38).” British Museum Collection Online. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1913-0619-38
Jacobus de Voragine. The Golden Legend, or Lives of the Saints. Volume Three, Translated by William Caxton. Edited by F. S. Ellis. Temple Classics. London: J. M. Dent, 1900. Reprint, 1922, 1931.
Scott, Florence H. R. “How English Is Saint George?” Florence HRS (Substack). Accessed March 5, 2026. https://florencehrs.substack.com/p/how-english-is-saint-george
Ormrod, William Mark. “The Foundation and Early Development of the Order of the Garter in England, 1348–1399.” Frühmittelalterliche Studien 50 (2016)
Riches, Samantha. St George: A Saint for All. London: Reaktion Books, 2015.
Ensemble Belladonna, Susanne Ansorg, Miriam Andersén, and Rebecca Bain, “Miri It Is While Sumer Ilast,” on Melodious Melancholye (The Sweet Sounds of Medieval England).
Leave a Reply