Martyr. Patron Saint of England (also Catalonia and Serbia). Dates back to 4th Century.
Originally a Roman solder, Georgius, put to death for refusing to kill Christians. He later became a saint, who absorbed pagan warror archetypes within the early Church. As such he was taken as a patron by Crusaders, who wore his colours of a white robe and red cross.
At some stage, possibly in 10th century Xtian Palestine he had been equated with Perseus and his Quest. Particularly the battle with the Triton sea-monster. In Europe, after his adoption by Crusaders, this associated him with pagan Dragon slayers, and the story of George and the Dragon was born.
St George also became a figure of folklore where his battle with the dragon appears in Mumming Plays as the battle between Spring and the Winter.
The dragon myth was used by some Xtian propagandists to symbolise victory over 'darkness', be this intepreted as 'evil', 'suffering', 'winter' or 'pagans' and 'heretics'
Worse still the archetype became a national totem in various places and became a icon of right wing nationalism. The inversion of the original image.