The first patron saint of England, within East Leeds Heritage Centre at Cross Gates Library
Saints alive... let's remember our Edmund!
By DAVID MARSH
MANY a proud Englishman knows the story of St George, the patron saint of England, and his dragon-slaying feats.
And every April 23 – St George's Day – the English flag is flown over many public buildings across the country.
But today a group of Leeds history enthusiasts will be doing their bit to mark the feast day of St Edmund, a largely forgotten heroic figure from English history who was the nation's first patron saint.
And the East Leeds History and Archaeology Society are even suggesting thought should be given to making November 20 a Bank Holiday.
Edmund was an Anglo-Saxon king and in 870, while other kings opted to capitulate when faced by marauding Vikings, he proved to be a warrior who chose to stand and fight.
Edmund was eventually defeated and put to death by the Vikings but he was an inspiration to King Alfred, who adopted him as his patron saint and encouraged his cult.
At the beginning of the 10th century, his body was removed from its first burial place at Hoxne, Suffolk, and taken to a place called Bedericesworth – now called Bury St Edmunds.
Edmund and later English kings fought under the white dragon standard.
The last to do so was King Harold at Hastings.
In the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066, everything connected to the English nation and its culture were suppressed – especially the language, literature, and flags. French became the language of everyday life.
At this time the cult of St George and his banner – the red cross – was attached to England by the kings who ruled this country during the height of the medieval period.
Not until the Lancastrian Henry V, and his victory over the French at Agincourt, was English used in official documents; not until the reign of Henry VIII was it in more general use across the country.
The society is mounting a display at Cross Gates Library's East Leeds Heritage Centre to commemorate St Edmund's Day.
A dragon flag will be displayed along with literature about St Edmund.
Mr Bob Lawrence, of the society, said: "We don't want St George's Day replacing – we do a St George's Day exhibition every year.
"We just think the country's first patron saint should be remembered and his day marked, perhaps even by a Bank Holiday with England's earliest flag flown from public buildings."
david.marsh@ypn.co.uk
www.leedstoday.net