ST GEORGE'S Day is one of England's oldest traditions.

Along with the other patron saints of the United Kingdom, the day in his honour dates back centuries and celebrates the diverse community that is England.

But many people know very little about the annual celebration, or even what day it falls on.

An official day proclaiming a day for St George was first set more than 790 years ago, in 1222.

At the time the Council of Oxford declared that April 23 will be St George's Day, but it was not until 1348 that St George became the patron saint of England.

In 1415, St George’s Day was made into a national feast day and a holiday in England but following the union with Scotland at the end of the 18th Century, the tradition faded and since then has not been widely acknowledged.

Much to everyone's disappointment it is also no longer a national holiday, unlike St Andrew's Day in Scotland and St Patrick's Day in Ireland.

But why did St George get his own day in the first place?

Over the centuries the facts about the man have turned to legend and there are many accounts about the life of St George.

The most popular story about the mythical figure is that of him slaying a dragon to rescue a princess.

The medieval tale says that a town was forced to offer a maiden sacrifice to placate a dragon living nearby and chose to do so by drawing lots.

The unlucky daughter of the monarch was chosen to be fed to the dragon, despite the king's protests.

But just as she was about to be handed over to the dragon, a knight from the Crusades arrived on his white stallion - St George.

Fighting the dragon, he managed to slay the beast, saving the princess and the town.

Very little is known about the actual life of St George, but what is know about him is just as fascinating as the mythical tale.

He was born to Christian parents around 270 AD in what is now Eastern Turkey.

After moving to Palestine with his mother he became a Roman soldier, but left the military due to his pagan leader Emperor Diocletian who was leading Rome’s persecution of Christians.

His act of rebellion lead to him being thrown in jail, tortured and eventually beheaded on what is believed to be April 23, 303 AD.

It is unlikely that St George ever visited England, despite being the nation's parton saint.

However, the tradition of celebrating the supposed day of his martyrdom has been around for centuries and has become more than a strictly religious holiday, but a chance to celebrate everything and everyone that makes England what it is.