St George is one of the busiest among patron saints. He isn’t just ours, but also looks after the Catalans and the Lithuanians, among others, and is the protector of various groups, including butchers and people afflicted with bubonic plague. English troops have been carrying the red cross standard into battle at least since the 13th century, when it was borne alongside the banners of England’s other early martyrs - St Edmund and St Edward the Confessor.

George’s martyrdom is associated with conspicuous gallantry, as has been celebrated throughout our history. The chivalrous Order of the Garter, created in the 14th century, has George as its patron, while his namesake King George VI insituted the George Cross and the George Medal for outstanding acts of courage in the face of mortal danger. During the second world war, the whole population of Malta was awarded the George Cross for their courage in standing up to German bombardment.