2. ... and he wasn't a knight either

Although George is often depicted in popular culture as a knight in shining armour, the truth is less fanciful.

Whilst St George was depicted from the 11th century as a chilvaric knight or a warrior on horseback, it is more likely that he was an officer in the Roman army.

4. ... But he never visited England

Although St George never visited England, his reputation for virtue and holiness spread across Europe and his feast day – the 23rd April – was celebrated in England from at least the early 8th century.

He became popular with English kings. Edward I (1272-1307) had banners bearing the emblem of St George (a red cross on a white background) and Edward III (1327-77) had a strong interest in the saint and owned a relic of his blood.

St George's cross didn't become England's national flag until the early 16th century.

6. St George was a saint for 1,000 years before the 'holiday'

St George's fame extended across the Christian world. The earliest evidence for his existance is a mid-4th-century inscription from Syria. This refers to his martyrdom, which was likely on 23 April, his holy day.

Following Henry V's victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, St George's day become one of the most important feast days in the English calendar.

8. People turned to St George for protection

During the Middle Ages, people, especially in German-speaking lands, believed that St George was one of the 'Fourteen Holy Helpers' - a group of saints whose assistance was especially esteemed.

St George's protection was invoked against several nasty diseases, many fatal and with infectious causes, including the Plague and leprosy.

From around 1100, St George's help was also sought to protect the English army.

In Shakespeare's Henry V, the eponymous hero calls on the saint during his battle cry at the Battle of Harfleur in the famous 'Once more unto the breach, dear friends' speech, crying 'God for Harry! England, and St. George!'

Five hundred years later – during the First World War – a ghostly apparition of St George is said to have aided British troops during their retreat from Mons, and the naval commander of the Zeebrugge Raid cited the saint as inspiration.