The story
of England and the English is one of history's
most remarkable sagas. The word "England"
conjures up many different images: from our
great cities with their imposing Georgian and
Victorian architecture to the Medieval castles
and cathedrals of our country towns and the
delightful villages and tranquil meadows of the
rural shires, England's green and pleasant land.
It is however our distinctive culture, values
and traditions which are the unmistakable marks
of English nationhood.
Even today, though some of the old glories and
certainties may have dimmed, England still
maintains her inner strength, her quiet dignity.
No longer the hub of a great Empire, but still a
bastion of freedom, gentility and human decency
- values which give meaning to the clarion cry
"Saint George for England!"
Prior to the formation of The Royal Society of
St. George and before the American War of
Independence, Societies of St. George had been
founded in the then North American Colonies for
the relief of British immigrants and to give
them general assistance in the new country.
The
earliest Branches of which there are any records
are those of New York (1770), Philadelphia
(1772) and Charlestown (1773). Subsequently
Branches were formed in all the great cities of
the North American continent and celebrations
were always held on St. George's Day. At the
time of the War of Independence many Loyalists
moved to Canada and founded similar Societies
there.
The Royal Society of St. George was founded in
1894 with the noble object of promoting
"Englishness" and the English way of life. The
Society quickly attracted the support of many
distinguished public figures in England and
throughout the British Empire. Its first Royal
Patron was Queen Victoria; and the society has
enjoyed the Patronage of every reigning monarch
from that day to this.
Our present sovereign, Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II, in 1963, bestowed a notable honour
by granting the Society its own Royal Charter, a
distinction of which its members are justifiably
proud.
