SAINT GEORGE'S LEGEND

Saint George

More than a thousand years ago, there was a knight named George. Riding on a white horse and, wearing a breast date as bright as silver, he went over the lands in the country. His mission, as other knights who lived in that time, was taking justice and liberty to those who lacked them for one reason or another.

One day, George the knight arrived in a village where nobody could be seen in the street. He went to the blacksmith’s house as his horse needed a horseshoe, but like rest of the houses it was also closed.

After knocking on the door insistently, it was half opened and the blacksmith let him in quickly baring the door again.

-Milord, milord! Misfortune has befallen us. The upset blacksmith told him. 

-Explain everything to me, answered the knight, as he had never seen so much sadness and devastation anywhere else like that. 

-Milord, for some time there’s a heartless dragon who has been devastating the region. His breath of fire has burnt our crops and what’s more, he has been eating every animal he’s found in his way.

In time, the blacksmith went on explaining to George the knight, as there were so few animals left, the hungry dragon demanded to be offered a person every day to satisfy his greedy appetite.

Saint George

The king called a meeting, and very angrily all the people decided to face up to the dragon and they got ready to fight. They made big spears, palisades and a big moat in the hope of killing the dragon. When the dragon appeared, everybody fought against him in despair. But everything was useless and they were defeated.

The next day, in the presence of the dragon and with a threat of devastating everything if they did not give him what he asked for, they drew lots to see who would have to be handed over.

Fate willed that it was the princess Anabelda, the king’s daughter. The king and the queen were paralyzed as if a ray had passed through them, and both of them tried to trick the dragon saying that it had fallen to their lot. But the shrewd and wicked dragon was not tricked and, he took the princess Anabelda between his paws.

Knight George, after having listened to the terrible story told by the blacksmith, said: 

-I’ll have that dragon choke on his food!

 

And riding on his horse, he left as fast as he could to look for the captive princess. At nightfall the knight found the dragon’s cave and the princess, who was the most beautiful girl that he had ever seen. Suddenly the dragon appeared.

-How lucky I am today, I’ve got a double portion for dinner.

Saint George

He said laughing while he closed his eyes and smelt them with appetite. George took advantage of the occasion, and, as fast as a ray, he cut his head right off with his sword. The dragon’s blood soaked the earth and a rosebush with lovely red roses bloomed immediately. 

George released the princess and he gave her a flower so that she would calm down.

You’re so brave and generous having rescued me from that monster – said Anabelda, in love with that handsome knight.

When they returned all the people went out to welcome them cheering and hailing. The king and the queen could not believe that their beloved daughter was safe and sound. And as George the knight was now tired of adventures and, besides he was pleased with the princess’ company, they married and were happy forever.

Damunt el cel veig un drac
brodat de foc,
un drac que guarda una jove
en estrany lloc.

Above the sky I see a dragon
embroidery in fire
a dragon that keeps a young woman
in strange place.

Cançó del Cavaller Sant Jordi, Maria del Mar Bonet