| “ | The dreadful dragon lay stretched out on the sunny side of a great hill, like a great hill himself, and when he saw the knight's armor glistening in the sunlight, he came eagerly to do battle. | „ |
| ~ The dragon makes his first appearance.
|
The dragon is the titular antagonist of the 1984 children's book Saint George and the Dragon, written by Margaret Hodges and adapted from a section of text from the 1590 poem The Faerie Queene. A malevolent monster, he arrives at a English kingdom that he wreaks perpetual havoc upon. His dominion goes unchallenged until he encounters Saint George of Merrie England, who he engages in mortal combat over the course of several days.
Background[]
During the olden days, England was a land subdivided into smaller kingdoms and called home to magical creatures that included fairies and giants. One peaceful kingdom found itself oppressed when a grim and terrible dragon arrived and began terrorizing the countryside. As a result, many countrymen fled the land, while others sought shelter within the walls of the brass tower called home by the King, the Queen and their daughter Una. The dragon continued his terroristic campaign, utterly unabetted.
Unknown to the dragon, the King and Queen dispatched Princess Una to seek out a worthy challenger to vanquish him. She eventually discovered an unnamed "Red Cross Knight", raised by the Fairy Queen to be a loyal champion, carrying a shield that was held by warriors preceding him.
Saint George and the Dragon[]
While lying across a hill, the dragon spots the Red Cross Knight, now aware of his birth name George, accompanying Princess Una on their return journey. Assuming him to be another easy prey, the dragon half-flies, half-sprints at charging George, only to receive the end of his spear against his hide as they pass. Surprised by the blow, the dragon knocks both George and his steed to the ground with his tail. The two charge at one another again, giving George another opportunity to strike the dragon harder than he has ever been struck by a man in his life. Enraged, the dragon snatches up George and his horse and attempts to fly away with them. George's next thrust of his spear glances off the dragon's neck and pierces his wing, disabling his flight. The dragon wraps his tail around the horse's legs, causing the beast to instinctively toss George off to get away. George strikes the crest of the dragon's head - while not injurious, it causes enough discomfort for the dragon to retaliate by immolate the knight in his breath. George collapses, ready to die, prompting the dragon to clap his wings in victory.
Despite the dragon's assumption about the fate of his opponent, George is protected by an ancient spring of water that rejuvenates him. The next day, the dragon is stunned to see George alive and whole and even wonders if this is another knight bearing a striking resemblance. As their second battle commences, the dragon stabs George and his shield with the stings at the end of his tail - George frees himself by cutting off the tip. The dragon grabs his shield and does not let go, causing George to strike at him enough that he goes on the defensive. George cuts off the dragon's paw gripping the shield, prompting the beast to release enough fire, smoke and sulfur to consume the surrounding area. Once more, George collapses. Yet, he is saved by an apple that falls from a tree above him, whose enchanted dew repels even the dragon.
The dragon is confronted one final time by George. Maimed and missing appendages, the dragon becomes afraid but musters his courage to attempt to attempt to swallow George whole. As he lunges upon his prey, George runs his blade through his mouth, instantly killing the creature.
In the aftermath of his defeat, the kingdom is made whole once more. The brass tower's gates are opened, and folk descend on the scene to survey the fallen dragon. While initially afraid, they begin to take measurements of the creature. For his deeds, George is betrothed to Una and named the heir to the kingdom. Yet, he still has seven years of service to the Fairy Queen ahead, before he can consider the weight of the crown.
Appearance[]
Described as being a horrible and vast creature, the dragon is covered in brass scales, speckled with black and red markings, that make noises with every motion and are fitted so tightly together that no conventional weapon could pierce them. His wings are comparable to two great sails filled with wind - just his presence sends clouds fleeing from him. Perhaps hyperbolically, his tail is estimated to be half a mile-long, spiraling and folded hundreds of times, sweeping the land dangerously, with two sharp stings at its end. His claws are described as being even more dangerous, large, long and deadly.
His head is described as being hideous, with three throws of iron teeth and a cloud of smothering smoke and burning sulfur pouring out of his mouth. His eyes emanate pure rage from deep within his head, burning red. The crest of his head is conventionally impregnedable. George makes multiple attempts to puncture it with his greatest blows. Only by getting his sword into the dragon's mouth is he able to fell him.
Gallery[]
