Skip to main content
The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers

Main navigation

  • Home
  • About Theresa
  • News
  • Contact
  • facebook
  • linkedin
The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers

Happy St George's Day from Theresa Villiers MP

  • Tweet
Tuesday, 23 April, 2024
  • Articles

St George’s Day is a time to celebrate England’s heritage and culture. The term England emerged in the ninth and tenth centuries with the unification of previously separate Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms. The name derives from the Angles who were one of the Germanic groups which raided and settled in Britain after the departure of the Roman legions in the fifth century.

One of England's greatest achievements is its role in pioneering democracy and the principle that no one is above the law. The Magna Carta of 1215, whilst many of its provisions were focused on prevailing concerns of powerful aristocrats, did become one of the foundation documents of modern democracy.

Another huge contribution England has made to global culture is the English language which is spoken as a second language by billions around the world.

England’s more controversial legacy is its role in the British Empire. Whilst this has come under intense scrutiny in recent years, it is important to recognise the complexities of the 400 years or so of English/British colonial involvement in countries around the world. Clearly there were instances of violent oppression and cruelty, such as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in India in 1919, but there were also positive legacies for countries that spent time under British rule, for example the common law legal system, respect for the rule of law, and the market economy.

St George who we celebrate today is believed to have been come from Cappadocia (now part of modern day Turkey) in the third century AD, dying in what is now Israel in 303AD, executed for refusing to offer a sacrifice to pagan gods.

Although St George never visited England, his reputation for holiness spread across Europe. His legend and feast day became popular with the Plantagenet kings in the Middle Ages. King Edward I started to use banners displaying the emblem of St George – a red cross on a white background.

Best wishes for a Happy St George's Day!

Digital imprint: Promoted by Theresa Villiers MP of 163 High Street, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5SU.

You may also be interested in

High Barnet station development

Save High Barnet park-and-ride! Have your say on High Barnet station development

Tuesday, 2 September, 2025
Former MP Theresa Villiers has thrown her weight behind the campaign to save the park-and-ride facility at High Barnet station.TfL is proposing to build over the car park at the station and remove all parking except for a handful of drop-off and blue badge spaces.

Show only

  • Articles
  • Local News
  • Speeches
  • Westminster News

Theresa Villiers

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • About Theresa
  • facebook
  • linkedin
Promoted by Theresa Villiers of 163 High Street, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5SU
Copyright 2025 Theresa Villiers . All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree