Tory Historian is finding it very difficult to understand why politicians, the media and the educational establishment should suddenly start fussing about St George’s Day, when it has been little more than a source of gentle entertainment in a very typical English way in the past.
Some American bloggers are incensed that parades that have never existed before should now be cancelled not to provoke Muslim attacks. Muslims in Bradford are saying that they don’t really care and a nice parade would be just the ticket to cheer everyone up.
Radio 3 is playing English music, which is a good idea, though less well known pieces would be an even better idea but one cannot help asking why the BBC should suddenly decide to become involved with St George.
Politicians are sending round e-mails with St George’s flag, which must be the ultimate insult for that unfortunate saint.
St George is not only England’s patron saint. Here is the full list (probably):
Amersfoort, Netherlands; Aragon; agricultural workers; archers; armourers; Beirut, Lebanon; Scouts; butchers; Cappadocia; Catalonia; cavalry; chivalry; Constantinople; Corinthians (Brazilian football team); Crusaders; England; equestrians; Ethiopia; farmers; Ferrara; field workers; Genoa; Geogia; Gozo; Bulgaria; Greece; Gozo, Haldern, Germany; Heide; herpes; horsemen; horses; husbandmen; knights; lepers and leprosy; Lithuania; Lod; Malta; Modica,A busy man with many interests, clearly.
Sicily; Moscow; Order of the Garter; Palestine; Palestinian Christians; plague; Portugal; Piran; Ptuj, Slovenia; Reggio Calabira; riders; saddle makers; sheep; shepherds; skin diseases; soldiers; syphilis; Teutonic Knights
However, the really important aspect of April 23, as readers of this blog will realize is that it is both the birthday and death day of William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616).
I disagree with your point about parades that have never been held before.
It is a long held tradition within the scouting movement in England to parade on St. George's Day, it is only in recent years that this has faded away at the behest of the health and safety warriors.
And quite right, too, as he is the patron saint of Scouts. For all of that it is hard to recall vast, state-sponsored, BBC-cheered celebrations in the past.