Who Was St George?

According to legend, George was the son of a nobleman and served as a cavalry officer in the Roman army. Although he was a respected soldier, George was also a Christian at a time when Christians were being persecuted by the Roman Emperor, Diocletian. Refusing to stay silent, George chose to leave the army and travel to the Emperor’s palace to speak out against the cruel treatment of Christians.

On his journey, George arrived in the city of Sylene, in present-day Libya, where the people lived in fear of a fierce dragon said to dwell in a nearby swamp. To keep the creature from attacking the city, the citizens were forced to sacrifice one person each day, chosen by lot.

On the day George arrived, the King’s daughter, Princess Cleolinda, had been chosen. Armed only with a spear and guided by courage and faith, George rode forward to face the dragon. Despite the danger, he charged at the beast and defeated it, saving the princess and the people of the city.

The King and many of the townspeople were so inspired by George’s bravery and beliefs that they chose to become Christians themselves.

George later continued to the Emperor’s palace, where he remained firm in his faith. Because he refused to renounce Christianity, he was executed on 23 April AD 303. His courage, faith, and willingness to stand up for others led to him becoming known as St George.

Why Is St George Important to Scouts?

Robert Baden-Powell chose St George as the Patron Saint of Scouting because he believed the qualities shown by the legendary soldier reflected the values of a good Scout.

St George faced danger with courage and determination. Even when confronted by something as terrifying as a dragon, he did not run away or give up. Instead, he faced the challenge bravely and used all his strength and skill to overcome it.

Baden-Powell believed Scouts should approach difficulties in the same way — with confidence, courage, and a willingness to help others.

The values linked to St George and Scouting include:

• Responsibility
• Truthfulness
• Devotion to duty
• Courage
• A noble spirit
• Dedication to helping others

St George’s Day

St George’s Day is celebrated on 23 April each year. On this day, Scouts around the world take time to reflect on their Scout Promise and Scout Law. Although Scouts try to live by these values every day, St George’s Day is a special opportunity to renew their commitment to them and to remember the example set by St George.

Lincoln Scouts have been parading through the streets of uphill Lincoln since the early 1900s, with records showing St George’s Day parades taking place as far back as 1916. Although the uniforms, traditions, and generations of young people have changed over the years, the spirit of Scouting in Lincoln has remained the same.

For more than a century, the city itself has changed dramatically. Lincoln has grown from a small cathedral city shaped by the hardships of two World Wars into a modern and vibrant community. The streets have seen changing fashions, new technology, and entirely new generations of young people growing up in very different times. Scouts who once marched wearing heavy wool uniforms during wartime now stand alongside young people carrying the values of Scouting into the modern world.

Yet despite all these changes, one tradition has endured. Each year, Scouts from across the district gather together proudly in uniform before marching through the historic cobbled streets of uphill Lincoln towards Lincoln Cathedral. The parade is not only a celebration of St George’s Day, but also a celebration of community, service, friendship, and the lasting spirit of Scouting within the city.

As they process through the ancient streets beneath the shadow of the Cathedral, generations of Lincoln Scouts have renewed their Scout Promise, just as those before them did over 100 years ago. It is a moment that connects today’s young people with the thousands of Scouts who have marched before them through times of peace and war, hardship and celebration.

Today, more than 1,000 young people and adult volunteers continue this proud tradition every year. From Squirrels and Beavers taking part for the very first time, to adult leaders who once marched as Cubs or Scouts themselves, the parade remains one of the most important and visible symbols of Scouting in Lincoln  a tradition that continues to unite the city’s Scouts in pride for both their movement and their city.