Saint George – Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK - Equestrian Statues on Waymarking.com

Dragons appear in the mythology of many different cultures. They are often represented as large 4 legged winged reptiles, with scaly skin and fierce claws, and a long tail.

In Chinese culture they are often seen as benevolent, but not so in European culture. To Europeans they were frightening creatures that terrorised the inhabitants of the local countryside, killing them to eat. In some legends the dragons even breathed fire.

The particular dragon had its nest next to a spring that was the source of water for the inhabitants of the nearby town. In order to get water they had to move the dragon by offering it food. After running out of sheep the villagers had to resort to offering human sacrifice, but Saint George hearing of the village’s plight fought the dragon and slew it.

Because of the scales on a dragon’s upper body it is a formidable opponent, but does have a weakness, in that the scales do not extend underneath its wings. Legend has it that Saint George initially wounded the dragon in the soft under part beneath the wings before finishing it off with a killing blow to the neck.

However in this version of the statue, Saint George has managed to spear the dragon through its open mouth and the tip of the spear is protruding through its neck. Saint George is portrayed riding a rearing horse with its front feet off the ground and he is holding the spear in his right hand.

Saint George is the patron saint of both England and soldiers and hence the use of him on this memorial to represent victory in the First World war. In this case it is doubly meaningful as Saint George is also the patron saint of the Northumberland Fusiliers, the local army regiment.

The sculptor of the memorial was Charles Leonard Hartwell, and the 3.35 metre bronze statue stands on top of a 6.2 metre high stone pedestal. It was unveiled on 26th September 1923 by Field Marshall, the Earl Haig.
The dedication on the front of the memorial was later amended to include the Second World War.

Identity of Rider: Saint George Name of artist: Charles Leonard Hartwell Date of Dedication: 26th September 1923 Material: Bronze Position: Two Hooves Raised Identity of Horse: Not listed Unusual Features: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/13/2018 Mochito on Tour visited it 09/27/2013 broadoak2006 visited it 08/09/2013 johnbullock visited it 06/15/2013 scotty299 visited it

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