Who was St George and how did he become patron saint not only of England but in many European countries? Samantha Riches explores the extraordinary wealth of myths and legends, art and inspiration that has grown up around this obscure fourth-century Christian martyr. AUTHOR: Dr Sam Riches, Teaching Fellow at the School of Art History, of St Andrews, is a historian and art-historian who has made a special study of quasi-historical saints. She is a noted authority on St George and on the iconography of the dragon, of which she has made a radical reappraisal.