St. George is the patron saint of England. His emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. St George's emblem was adopted by RichardThe Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king's soldiers wore it ontheir tunics to avoid confusion in battle. St George is a popular figure, although very little isactually known about him. He is believed to have been born in Cappadocia in what is nowTurkeyGeorge became a soldier in the Roman army, but refused to follow the emperor's orders torenounce his Christian faith. St George was a brave Roman soldier who protested againstthe Romans' torture of Christians and died for his beliefs. The popularity of St George inEngland stems from the time of the early Crusades when it is said that the Normans sawhim in a vision and were victorious.One of the best-known stories about Saint George ishis fight with a dragon. But it is highly unlikely thathe ever fought a dragon, and even more unlikely thathe ever actually visited England. Despite this, StGeorge is known throughout the world as thedragon-slaying patron saint of England. In the MiddleAges the dragon was commonly used to representthe devil The slaying of the dragon by St George was first credited to him in the twelfthcentury, long after his death. It is therefore likely that the many stories connected with StGeorge's name are fictitious, He was tortured and executed in Palestine on 23rd April 303. By coincidence Shakespearewas born on this date in 1564 and died on the same date in 1616.• St George is associated with chivalry, courage and honour. King Edward III adopted StGeorge as the patron of the Knights of the Garter, a new order of chivalry. The medalawarded for acts of gallantry in battle, shows George on horseback slaying the dragon​