Tales of Old England
England’s history is interwoven with the threads of myth, legend and folklore. These stories shape our understanding of our past and our present.
A doorway at Tintagel Castle
Photo by Chris Johnson - Unsplash
Guardians of our Heritage
English Heritage is guardian to some of the nation’s most treasured and iconic buildings and monuments, including Stonehenge, Tintagel Castle, Osborne, Hadrian’s Wall and Dover Castle. English Heritage champions our historic places and advises the Government and others to help today’s generation get the best out of our heritage and ensure that it is protected for future generations.
We are all trustees of our heritage, help protect our inheritance by joining English Heritage
The Legend of St George
St George was a Roman officer of high rank, martyred in AD 303 for his protests at Roman torture of Christians. Over the centuries his reputation for virtue and holiness spread across Europe. Canonised in AD 494 by Pope Gelasius, he claimed St George was one of those 'whose names are justly revered among men but whose acts are known only to God'.
By the 9th century St George's Feast Day was celebrated in England on 23rd April onwards. Edward I (1272-1307) adopted banners bearing the emblem of St George (a red cross on a white background) the flag we know today.
The Order of the Garter (founded by Edward III in 1348) is the highest order of chivalry in the country. To this day St George’s cross still appears on the Garter badge and his image is the pendant of the Garter chain.
In 1940 King George VI created a new award for acts of the greatest heroism or courage in circumstance of extreme danger. The George Cross, named after the king, bears the image of St George vanquishing the dragon.
St George's Flag - The flag of England
photo by Different Resonance - Unsplash
Drew Stanton Somerset Circle and Cove
Photo Courtesy of English Heritage
Who created the great circles at Stanton Drew
The village of Stanton Drew preserves the third largest complex of standing stones in England, built about 4,500 years ago.
Recent surveys reveal the great circle and cove were part of ancient rituals, but we can only surmise why these huge structures, similar to Stonehenge and Avebury were built.
Neolithic people worshipped the sun, the moon, and the natural elements on which their harvest and sustenance depended. Fertility was a gift of nature that developed and grew into a cult and with it the significance of female fertility came to be associated within its worship.
The site is free to visit, although landowners charge a small fee to visit the two main stone circles. Drew Stanton represents an important step in the history of Old England. Join today to help preserve this site and the 400 other location in the care of English Heritage
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