During the crusades Richard the Lionheart claimed to have seen a vision of St George bearing a red-cross banner. Although he himself did not enter Jerusalem (declaring himself unworthy to do so), in gratitude for the victory he repaired the church over the grave of St George of Lydda and there took the saint as his personal patron.

In 1220, Henry III ordered the feast of St George, April 23, to be placed in the national calendar, and Anglican churches fly the saint’s flag. Edward III founded the Order of the Garter in 1348 under the patronage of St George.

GERRY HANSON
Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire

From Mr Stephen Garnett

Sir, A country cannot just change its patron saint. However worthy St Alban and Edward the Confessor may be, St George is England’s patron and has been for centuries. As such, his Christian example has inspired countless deeds of heroism.

Whether or not he was an obscure 4th-century Palestinian has nothing to do with it. He symbolises courage, self-sacrifice and service, qualities to which all true English men and women should aspire.

STEPHEN GARNETT
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

From Mr Thomas McLaughlin

Sir, St Alban was no more English than St George. If St Alban existed at all, then he died at the hands of the Romans in Verulamium (later St Albans) around AD250-300, before the earliest ancestors of the English set foot in Britain. According to The Oxford Dictionary of Saints:

This surely qualifies Alban as an alternative to Saints Andrew, David and Patrick rather than St George.

THOMAS McLAUGHLIN
Jordanhill, Glasgow

From Mr David Farrow

Sir, I think the person we should commemorate is the founding father of England — King Alfred the Great.

As a soldier and impressive leader, Alfred fought hard to save this land from Norsemen and Danish rule. As King he became the first to rule over an almost united England. He defended and expanded the Christian faith and upheld the English language.

The English national holiday could take place on a Monday — preferably in autumn so that it would be well clear of Easter, May Day and the summer holidays.

DAVID FARROW
davidfarrow40@yahoo.co.uk

From Mr Jon Simons

Sir, I believe that the best alternative candidate for patron saint is St Edmund, a King of East Anglia, who refused to renounce his Christian faith at the behest of conquering Danes. He is reputed to have been martyred at Hoxne in Suffolk.

St Edmund is to be seen with St Edward on the famous Wilton Diptych presenting King Richard II to the Virgin, who is accompanied by angels bearing St George’s flag.

JON SIMONS
Little Hallingbury, Essex

From Mr John Gooderham

Sir, Never mind St George’s Day. What about Trafalgar Day, October 21, to coincide with schools’ half-term?

JOHN GOODERHAM
sue@goodiehouse.wanadoo.co.uk

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