Saint George and the Dragon
Saint George is the patron saint of England and one of the most famous Western dragon-slayers. Details of his origin are obscure, however he is believed to have been born around the year 280 and died some twenty-five years later.
Although today associated with England, Saint George was born in Cappadocia and spent much of his life in Palestine. He was a soldier in the Roman army who later became a Christian martyr.
Saint George's encounter with the famous dragon reportedly took place in a small town in Libya. At the time this unnamed town was still pagan in its religious outlook.
The town was being terrorised by a fierce, fire-breathing dragon. To keep it at bay the townspeople had originally fed it sheep. However the dragon had become greedier and was now demanding human flesh.
The young people of the town were being sacrificed to appease the dragon, one being chosen each day by drawing lots.
One day the local princess drew the short straw and was chosen to be the dragon sacrifice. She dressed in her wedding gown and was tied to a stake for the dragon to take. At that point Saint George arrived. He slew the dragon with his lance and saved both the princess and the entire village.
According to some versions of the legend, the people of the town were so impressed that they converted en masse to Christianity. This raises the possibility that the entire story is allegorical with the dragon representing pagan gods and ideas which were "slain" by George's proselytising zeal.