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24 September 2014
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Was St George a Coventry Kid?

Children in Coventry City Centre act out a fight with a dragon
St. George's dragon is slayed by Cov kids!
St George was a renowned dragon-slayer and, of course, patron saint of England. But did you know he is also rumoured to be a Coventry kid?

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People are invited to cheer on St. George on Tuesday 23 April in Coventry.

On 23 April we will be commemorating our he-man of history, who proved good always wins over evil.

As legend has it, St George slayed a fierce dragon, symbolising evil, and rescued an innocent maiden from death.

The story is thought to have appeared as late as the 12th century and may have origins in the story of Perseus, who defended the virgin Andromeda against the monstrous Medusa.

Read on to find out about St George's link to Coventry and about the modern day St George street performance in the city centre.

Truth or Legend?
There is strong evidence to support the theory that the mythical dragon-slaying, maiden-saving prince was a West Midlander.

Admittedly it's a legend, only as real as dragons are, but it points the finger at Coventry's historical importance.

Richard Johnson, 16th century author of the "Famous Historie of the Seven Champions of Christendom" was the first to place St George in Coventry, where he was born son of Lord Albert in a local castle with a blood red cross on his arm and a dragon on his chest.

St George in Medieval times
Statue of Peeping Tom or St George in Coventry
Wooden statue, believed to be St George in Cathedral Lanes
During the late Medieval period, processions to celebrate St. George's life and legendary adventures, were conducted every year around the city of Coventry. They were later taken over by the Lady Godiva procession in 1678, but a figure representing Saint George invariably appeared before the Lady.

There is a full-length oak figure which was once known as St George. It was removed to various places around the city and later renamed Peeping Tom. It now lives in a glass case overlooking the statue of Lady Godiva from Cathedral Lanes shopping centre.

An original oak figure of St George and his dragon is in the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry. The oak figure is believed to have come from St George's Chapel, which once stood in Gosford Street.

How is it celebrated now?
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I think the story of St George captures the imagination because it is a classic tale of good and evil.
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Jane Wynn Event Manager
The birth and life of St George will be celebrated this year with a re-enactment of the legendary dragon slaying.

There will be a performance piece in the city centre using St George, a dragon, a princess, a king and soldiers.

The piece will follow the popular legend where the king is forced to sacrifice his daughter to the dragon to save the town.

St George learns of the princess' plight and fights the dragon to save her.

The event is free and is held on St George's Day, April 23 in Coventry City Centre.

You can get more details from Coventry Tourist Information Centre, Bayley Lane on: 024 6722 7264/7266.


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