WHO was St George? Did he really exist? Did he ever step foot on English soil and if not, how did he become Patron Saint of England, and an icon for soccer fans and rightwing organisations throughout the country?

In the most complete history yet, author Samantha Riches unravels the countless different and telling versions of the legend of St George. The book is beautifully illustrated with 50 colour and 60 black and white illustrations.

Earliest references suggest he was probably a Christian from Cappadocia (part of modern Turkey) who entered imperial service and was martyred when he challenged the pagan beliefs of the king.

It is often claimed that the Crusaders brought the cult of St George to the west and that the saint was popularised in England by Richard the Lionheart.

St George quickly overtook other, native, candidates to become recognised as England's Patron Saint. His image was soon to be found in churches and civic buildings up and down the land, and Guilds of St George were established in many of the country's major towns.

England is far from being the only country to invoke St George as her Patron. St George has been claimed as Patron Saint of Germany, Portugal, Barcelona, Genoa, Ferrara, Armenia, Anitoch, Constantinople, various parts of France, and many other countries and provinces.

The practices of English guilds of St George during the 15th century, in terms of both their membership and their annual festivals, suggest that these organisations were deeply concerned with the demonstration of a hierachy of authority over their social inferiors, and drew on both the legend and the iconography of the saint to achieve quite specific ends. (Sutton Publishing £20).