St George & The Dragon

Mayflower Morris Men performed the traditional Mummers’ Play of St. George and the Dragon throughout St. George’s Day, the 23^rd April 2005, in Billericay High Street outside Douglas Allen Spiro and Beresfords Estate Agents, together with performances of Morris Dances of England. All proceeds were donated to Hamlyn House

A Carol of St. George c. 1740

Enfors we us with all our might

To love Seint George, our Lady['s] knight..

He keped the ma[i]d from dragon's dred,

And fraid all France and put to flight.

At Agincourt - the crownecle ye red -

The French him see foremost in fight.

In his virtu he wol us lede

Againis the Fend, the f[o]ul wight,

And with his banner us overspreded,

If we him love with all oure might.

Let’s love St. George, Our Lady’s knight,

With all our might.

He saved the Maiden from the Dragon’s wrath,

and made all France cower and be put to flight.

At Agincourt (you know the story),

the French saw him foremost in the fight.

If we love him with all our will,

Dutifully he would us lead

Against enemies and men of evil

With his banner spread overhead.

Anonymous, A carol [with music] of St. George, BM. MS Egerton 3307, fol.63b, (circa 1470), in R.T. Davies, Mediaeval English Lyrics, Faber, (London, 1963), p.185. [Spelling slightly modernised]

From a mediaeval wall-painting (circa 1470) of St. George and the Dragon, Broughton Parish Church, Buckinghamshire

For further information contact: Geoff Douglas (Bagman) - bagman@mayflowermorris.com or 01268 710709

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