Trident Marketing has been celebrating St George’s Day as an additional bank holiday for many years. We are continuing this tradition, and our offices are closed today.

Check out the nine facts below – did you know these facts about our Patron Saint, St George?

1. St George Wasn’t English. He was born in the 3rd Century AD in Cappadocia, now known as Modern Day Turkey.
2. He wasn’t a Knight. He was more likely an officer in the Roman Army.
3. He was described as a Martyr.
4. He never visited England.
5. The dragon was not always a part of St George’s story. It may have started simply as a way to explain icons of military saints slaying dragons, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
6. St George was a saint for 1000 years before the ‘holiday’.
7. England isn’t the only country to celebrate St George. England shares St George with Venice, Genoa, Portugal, Ethiopia and Catalonia, among others, as their patron saint. Many of these places have their own celebrations and ceremonies in his honour.
8. People turned to St George for protection. From around 1100, St George’s help was also sought to protect the English Army.
9. St George represents those we honour! The George Cross, named after the king, bears the image of St George vanquishing the dragon. The image of St George also refers to many memorials built to honour those killed during World War One.