Saint George and the Dragon - Into the Maw of Danger - Extra Mythology

myths are not stories that are untrue rather they are tales that don't fit neatly into the historical record which serve as a foundation to a culture once long ago there was a noble knight born in Cappadocia he served the Empire of Rome he was a warrior in the cavalry Legion and he was a Tribune of the people and upon completion of his service he travelled the provinces acting as a knight errant righting wrongs and protecting the helpless and his name was George one day George came across a city called serene nestled in a verdant Valley on the Libyan coast as he rode into town something struck him is off no merchant shouted in the forum's no children played in the street all was eerie empty and silent something was wrong he called out but there was no reply all the doors were locked and all of the windows shuttered his horse Wickard as he patted it on the neck feeling uneasy about this place as well he decided to make his way to the one place he knew would be open the local Inn that is of course if anyone was left in this quiet town but instead of the raucous tavern that would usually be found at this time of day there was only a gaunt old man waiting behind the bar George approached excuse me may I ask what plagues this town the barkeep looked him up and down you best sit down for this noble sir he said then he poured him a drink and began the doleful tale of this town's fate not long ago a terrible dragon had made its home near the shimmering pond that once provided water for their town be foul in the pond and stalking the countryside it poisoned both the villagers and their crops alike with its fetid breath so in an attempt to appease this monster the people began making offerings at first they brought to it farm animals and sheep but before long the fields and paddocks were bare and they had no livestock left to offer yet still the dragon lingered and hungered so in desperation the king decreed that the name of every citizen would be carved into a piece of pottery and kept in a great urn then each week one name would be randomly drawn out and that person whether they were the wealthiest noble or the poorest beggar would be sacrificed to the dragon it was the only fair option you see at first when the random sacrifices began the wails of those who had lost a child or a spouse or a sibling echoed throughout the town but then as the week's turned into months the people became numb quiet staying in their homes except to see who would die next then at last the Kings own daughter was chosen to be brought to the dragon he wept he begged for mercy he even offered the people his riches servants and Palace if only he could keep his beloved child but there was no pity left in this town he had made this law they had followed it by sacrificing their children and now it was his turn knowing this to be true he begged at the very least for eight days respite to spend time with her and say goodbye hesitantly the people agreed and that was eight days ago today as if it were ordained just as the innkeeper rasped out the end of his story the procession bearing the princess rumbled by outside Gorge rushed to the door and saw a maiden on a jet-black horse dressed as a bride and surrounded by mourners as she passed she noticed the foreign Knight approaching her a decree of protection surely about to leave his lips but she spoke first do not follow me fair Knight let's do perish along with me but George would not stand by and watch this city or this princess suffer any longer he looked into her eyes and said I swear I will slay this dragon but the people still terrified refused to delay the sacrifice so George mounted his horse and rode out behind them until they reached a blasted lake where the people bound the princess to a tree to meet her fate once the townspeople departed George went to the princess to untie her but she wouldn't let him stating she would not risk her town just to save herself so instead he simply drew his sword and sat by her side awaiting the terrible things to come then suddenly the dragon emerged from the murky depths its reptilian frame covered in way water cascading off its scaly back venom dripped from its fangs and toxic smoke poured from its nostrils and it was at this moment that George felt fear but he was a knight and he'd sworn an oath his shining armor glinted in the orange light of the Setting Sun as he mounted his horse his steed was steady and calm the princess looked on tearful yet brave the dragon let out a piercing shriek and the leaves on the nearby trees withered and died George lowered the visor on his helm levelled his spear and charged the dragon reared up on its hind legs snapping its fierce jaws as George's spear crashed into its shoulder shattering instantly and though the spear could not pierce the time and hard scales the beast still recoiled in pain and while it was distracted George rushed over and cut the princess free now being okay with that idea for some reason the dragon shrieked and George soared now drawn charged again this time however the Dragons spat a cloud of toxic venom directly at George his horse staggered and tripped as his armor began melting away and unable to steady his steed he was flung forward landing on the ground with a crash stunned by the impact then he began to feel lighter it was the princess she was pulling off his melted armor in order to save him and as she did so a desperate thought struck him he told her to take the belt from her waist and throw it at the dragon not missing a beat she did his George requested and when the belt hit the dragon a miracle happened the belt wrapped itself around the Dragons neck and like magic it immediately became tame and docile then the princess led the dragon meek as a pet on a leash back into the city and once inside the gates George drew his sword and thrust it under the dragon's wing slaying it instantly and from that day forth everyone in serene knew they were safe and as for George he would eventually be venerated as a saint and be remembered as a symbol of virtue and strength and it's those symbols that can help us through our darkest hours because there will be times when the world is full of terrors when things far outside your control suddenly come to dominate your life but if you look at the heart of the legend of st. George and many of our earliest stories you'll find a message to help in those times passed down from generation to generation of both warning and hope in times of trouble you can submit meekly like the villagers you can look out for your own interests like their king or like st. George you can stand against the darkness and help others wherever you're able o thanks Zoe until next time everyone stay safe out there thanks so much to Ahmed Zia Dirk Alesia bramble Casey Museo Dominic Valenciana Gunnar Clovis Kyle Murgatroyd Malaysia gallery at O'Neil's won for being legendary patrons [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause]

Channel: undefined

Views: 251,647

Rating: 4.9317989 out of 5

Keywords: Extra credits, extra mythology, extra credits mythology, Jac Mindelan, Matt Krol, Christian mythology, christian myths, st. george, st. george and the dragon, dragon mythology, dragon myths, Christian saints, saints, st. george myth, the crusades

Id: eqpu12XApSs

Length: 7min 44sec (464 seconds)

Published: Wed May 20 2020