By Gemma Sanz

 

Legend and tradition

The legend of Sant Jordi and the dragon

Jaume Ferrer II (15th C.). Altarpiece. Catalan School. Lleida City Council. Photo: AISA.

 

According to popular tradition, Sant Jordi was a Roman soldier and was born in the 3rd century in Capadocia in Turkey. This Saint, who was under the orders of the emperor Diocletian, refused to carry out the emperor's edict to persecute all Christians and for this reason he was martyred and decapitated by his companions. In the eastern part of the Roman Empire, he soon became venerated as a martyr and shortly after this, fantastic stories related to him began to appear.

The exploits of Sant Jordi and the Dragon became popular throughout Europe around the 9th century under the name of "Golden legend" and were compiled by the archbishop of Genoa, Iacopo da Varazze, in 1264, in the book 'Legenda sanctorum '. In this version, however, the exploits took place in Libya.

The most popular legend in Catalonia about Sant Jordi tells that at Montblanc, in Conca de Barberà, there was a terrible dragon which viciously attacked men and beasts. To pacify it, lots were drawn and a person was chosen to be given as a sacrifice to the monster. One day, the misfortune fell on the king's daughter, who would have died in the beast's claws if it had not been for the arrival of a handsome knight who challenged the dragon and killed it.
This same legend, although with slight variations, is told as a popular legend in England, Portugal and Greece.