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==Later depictions and occurrences==
In any case, it was through this legend that George would reach his greatest popularity. During the early [[2nd millennium]] and long after his death, George came to be seen as the original "knight in shining armour" (and still on horseback), thus serving as an idealised model of chivalry. And it was also during this time that George would come to be depicted in works of literature, mostly medieval romances.
==Colours==
The "Colours of Saint George" (more commonly called St George's Cross) are a white flag with a red cross, frequently borne by entities over which he is patron (e.g. England, Georgia, Liguria, Catalonia etc).
==Patronage and remembrance==
The cult of St George probably first reached the [[Kingdom of England]] when the crusaders returned from the Holy Land in the [[12th century]]. King [[Edward III of England]] (reigned [[1327]] – [[1377]]) was known for promoting the codes of [[knighthood]] and in [[1348]] founded the [[Order of the Garter]]. During his reign, George came to be recognised as the [[patron saint]] of [[England]]. Edward dedicated the chapel at [[Windsor Castle]] to the soldier saint who represented the knightly values of [[chivalry]] which he so much admired and the Garter ceremony still takes place there every year. [[Shakespeare]] firmly placed St George within the national conscience in his play [[Henry V (play)|Henry V]] in which the English troops are rallied with the cry “God for Harry, England and St George.” With the revival of Scottish and Welsh nationalism, there has been renewed interest within England in St George, whose memory had been in abeyance for many years. This is most evident in the St George's flags which now have replaced [[Union Jack]]s in stadiums where English sports teams compete. Nevertheless, St George’s Day still remains a relatively low-key affair. The City of [[Salisbury]] does, however, hold an annual St George’s Day pageant, the origins of which are believed to go back to the thirteenth century. In recent years demands for an official St George’s celebration to be held in England’s capital city have been turned down by the [[London]] Mayor, [[Ken Livingstone]], in favour of a festival in honour of [[St Patrick]], Ireland’s patron saint.
On ==Patronage and remembrance==The cult of St George probably first reached the Kingdom of England when the crusaders returned from the Holy Land in the [[Iberian peninsula12th century]], George also came to be considered as patron to the [[Crown . King Edward III of Aragon]] England (reigned [[Aragon]], [[Catalonia]], [[Valencia]] and [[Majorca1327]]– [[Catalan language|Catalan1377]]: ''Sant Jordi'') was known for promoting the codes of knighthood and in [[Portugal1348]] ([[Portuguese language]]: ''São Jorge'') during their struggles against [[Castile]]. Their previous patron [[Saint James founded the Order of the Great]] was considered more strongly connected to CastileGarter. Already connected in accepting During his reign, George came to be recognised as their the patron saint, in [[1386]] of England and Portugal agreed to an [[Anglo-Portuguese Alliance]]. Today this treaty between the [[United Kingdom]] and Portugal is still in force.
In [[1969]]On the Iberian peninsula, Saint George's feast day was reduced also came to an optional memorial in the [[Roman Catholic]] calendar, and the solemnity of his commemoration depends on purely local observance. He is however still honoured be considered as a saint of major importance by [[Eastern Orthodoxy]]. His feast date, [[April 23]], is patron to the Day Crown of Aragon ([[Spain]]Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia and Majorca; Catalan: ''Sant Jordi'') and is also holiday in Catalonia Portugal (Portuguese language: ''São Jorge'') during their struggles against Castile. Their previous patron [[SpainSaint James the Great]]) where it is traditional was considered more strongly connected to give a rose and a book to the loved oneCastile.
Diada de Sant Jordi added + more specific about the given presents.
==Veneration as a martyr==
The validity of the above account is considered questionable at best. However, his veneration as a martyr appears to have started relatively early. A church in his honour was reportedly built in Lydda during the reign of [[Constantine I of the Roman Empire|Constantine IGreat]] (reigned [[306]]–[[337]], sole emperor since [[324]]). The church was destroyed in [[1010]] but was later rebuilt by the Crusaders. In [[1191]] and during the conflict known as the Third Crusade ([[1189]]–[[1192]]), the church was again destroyed by the forces of Saladin, Sultan of the Ayyubid dynasty (reigned [[1171]]–[[1193]]). A new church was erected in [[1872]] and is still standing.
During the [[4th century]] the veneration of George seems to have spread from Palestine to the rest of the [[Byzantine Empire]]. The [[5th century]] would see his fame reach the Western Roman Empire as well. In [[494]], George was canonised as a saint by Pope Gelasius I (term [[492]]–[[496]]). However Gelasius included George among those "…whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to God." This statement would not prevent the creation of several differing accounts about his life, several of them filled with miracles. According to the ''Catholic Encyclopedia'', the earliest text preserving fragments of George's highly miraculous narrative is in Acta Sanctorum identified by Hippolyte Delehaye of the scholarly Bollandists to be a palimpsest of the [[5th century]], 'full beyond belief of extravagances and of quite incredible marvels'.
In [[St 1969]], Saint George's Dayfeast day was reduced to an optional memorial in the Roman Catholic calendar, and the solemnity of his commemoration depends on purely local observance. He is however still honoured as a saint of major importance by [[Eastern Orthodoxy]]. His feast date, [[April 23]] , is the Day of Aragon (Spain) and is also celebrated with parades holiday in those countries of which he Catalonia (Diada de Sant Jordi) where it is traditional to give a rose (the male to the patron saintfemale) and a book (the female to the male) to the loved one.
St George's Day is also celebrated with parades in those countries of which he is the patron saint.
==Sources, references and external links==
