St. George is the patron saint of England. His emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England. It was adopted by Richard The Lion heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king’s soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle.
St. George’s Day is on April 23rd, so, in a sense, this is England’s National Day.
Winston Churchill wrote:
“There is a forgotten, nay almost forbidden word,
which means more to me than any other.
That word is ENGLAND.”
I think “almost forbidden” is the telling phrase here. We are so suspicious of nationalism with all its conotations of imperial amibition and, regrettably these days, terrorism that we regard it here in England as a sign of national immaturity to be proud of our country. “Grown up” nations, confident in themselves, don’t need a strong national identity. They look to Europe and the westernised world for a sense of belonging.
Forgive me if I say this is rubbish. Without a strong sense of cultural identity we are a lost nation. We have much to be proud of as well as much to regret but then, who, nation or individual, hasn’t?
I am immensely proud of my ancestors, my children and even my neighbours. All spring from this earth I call home. I am proud to stand up and call myself English – not British but English.
It doesn’t for one moment mean I’m isolationist -I’m also pleased we are in the EU. From the farmers point of view, we all have to act together if we are to feed ourselves in Europe and keep our livestock healthy. Of course there is much wrong with the system, but not with the principle. I don’t see any incompatibility with membership of the EU and a sense of national pride. Others may disagree.
I thought of trying to get one of my goats to model a flag of St George for me today but then thought better of it! I’ve had my excercise for the week chasing the kids yesterday to give them a routine medicine for Coccidiosis. I’ve settled instead for a photo of what makes this place England in a nutshell. I hope you agree! Happy St George’s Day!!!
