The Patron Saint of Flanders: How a British Martyr United Belgium

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the surprising story of Saint George — yes, the dragon-slayer — and his unexpected role as the patron saint of Flanders. They trace how a 4th-century Roman soldier executed under Diocletian became a symbol of Flemish identity during the Middle Ages, especially after the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302. They discuss the evolution of his cult from the Crusades to the cloth cities of Ghent, Bruges, and Ypres, and how the cross of Saint George (the same flag as England's) was adopted by Flemish militias. They also touch on the controversy surrounding the saint's historicity and the 1969 Vatican reforms that questioned his veneration. Finally, they consider how this medieval figure still resonates in modern Flemish nationalism and the annual Gentse Feesten festival. #SaintGeorge #Flanders #PatronSaint #BattleOfTheGoldenSpurs #MedievalHistory #Crusades #FlemishIdentity #CatholicSaints #Diocletian #Ghent #Bruges #Ypres #VaticanReforms #GentseFeesten #Hagiography #Dragons #FexingoHistory #History #BelgiumHistory #LeopoldII Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo