St. George and the Dragon Legend

This bloodthirsty dragon lives by a spring that provides all the water for the city of Cyrene, Libya which is situated in northern Africa. Whenever the citizens of Cyrene want water, they are faced with the immense beast. Unhappy with the diet of sheep the citizens feed it, the dragon demanded humans sacrifices. A human sacrifice has to be given to the dragon daily before it allows anyone to draw water from the spring. The only fair way to determine the daily victim is by drawing lots. The princess is chosen as the next victim and her father, the king, is distraught. He offers the citizens all his riches if they will spare his daughter, but the citizens refuse.

The princess is tied to a wooden stake near the spring. St. George, and soldier of the Roman Empire, discovers the distressed princess and unties her. St. George charges the dragon on horseback. His sturdy lance penetrates deep enough only to wound the foul creature. Using the princess’s sash as a leash, St. George and the princess lead the injured dragon into town. St. George announces he will finish off the dragon if the citizens convert to Christianity. They agree to convert and St. George draws his sword and kills the dragon.

The Dragon descriptions

The dragon’s head is a solid, thick skull contains eyes with extra optic nerves for keen vision and nostrils that belch foul black fumes. Neck, an elongated nick keeps the dragon’s fire-breathing apparatus at a safe distance from its own body. It also aids in spotting tender maidens and scrappy saints from around corners. The claws sturdy talons leave tell-tale gouges in the turf wherever the dragon walks. One flick from the dragon’s razor-sharp tail leaves a man with bloodied stumps where he once had limbs. The wings, wing bones attached to the broad back by a system of mighty muscles lift the heavy beast into the air. The strong body is made from scales that are like steel plates on the dragon’s body. Shatter St. George’s spear when he first attempts to stab the creature.

Where is this legend found?

Cyrene, Libya (Northern Africa)

Things about the Dragon

• St. George is the patron saint of England, knights, archers, and butchers.
• The various parts of this dragon are believed to have magical properties. Anyone eating this dragon’s heart would be able to understand the speech of birds. Eating the dragon’s tongue gives one the power to win any arguments. Dragon’s blood provides protection against injury from swords.