Want a chance to see a dragon get slain this year? The dramatic re-enactment of the battle of Lumeçon takes place this year on the 14th June. This tradition commemorates the heroics of St. George defeating a dragon to save his victim from being eaten, as dragons are prone to do with fair maidens.

The legend of St George is said to date back to the 4th Century, when a Christian Knight AKA George came to the rescue of a princess from a Mediterranean kingdom being sacrificed to an evil dragon.

The re-encatment is set off with the procession of a Golden Chariot holding holy relics. The chariot is pushed through the city of Mons by the people. Upon the slaying of the mythic beast the people of Mons let out a triumphant shout: “The people of Mons shall never perish!”

This ceremony dates back to 1830, when the Fraternity of Saint George set up this tradition to honour its patron – well before the legend of St George was adopted by the people of England. For a fun day out with a bit of history thrown in to the mix give Mons in Belgium a try.

To get to Mons, a P&O ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge is a swift and fun way to visit Belgium for this heroic representation of medieval valour

Image credit: foxypar4

Tags: Belgium, History, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries // Add Comment »