St. George in Coventry? 14th Century Propoganda
One of the oldest surviving examples of spin will take pride of place at the St Georges Day Open Day, Saturday April 23 at the beautiful St John the Baptist Church, Fleet St Coventry.
In the late fourteenth century, Coventry was beginning to lag behind several English cities in the pilgrimage stakes, despite its large number of Churches and Monasteries.
So the story was hatched amongst the religious elders that Englands patron saint, St George, whose standing was soaring due to English military successes, was born in Coventry!
At Caludon Castle!
A chapel was built and various churches and buildings latched onto the spin, installing artefacts and statues.
Very little of that early marketing campaign remains, the best being the carvings of St George and his faithful dragon, who still look down on the Church from its prominent position on St Johns east wall!
These will be the highspots of the visitor tours which will take place throughout the course of the Open Day (10am - 4pm) under the watchful eye of the Church founder, Queen Isabella and her faithful knight.
Refreshments will be available in the hall throughout the day, and there will be a photographic and a historic exhibition on show and the Coventry Mummers will be performing their St George play at 1pm.
Ben Sinclair, a recognised stained glass expert will be around in the morning explaining the art and craft of medieval and modern glass.
There will also be children trails, a text book sale, organ and musical recitals and a fantastic church to walk around!
