Letter: Nominations for a new St George
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Jacqueline Doyle is right to question the suitability of George, that at least semi-mythical import, to be patron saint of England. There is, however, a far stronger candidate than St Cuthbert, whom she prefers.
The diverse English peoples became a nation first by their general adoption of Christianity and second by their resistance to the incursions of the Danes. The cult of St Edmund, King of East Anglia and original Patron of England, recognised both these sources of national identity. (An even better candidate would, of course, have been King Alfred, had the canonisation for which he was at one time a candidate run its full course.)
I certainly agree with Ms Doyle that our Saxon saints merit a lot more consideration than they usually receive.
Yours etc,
ALAN SMITH
Chigwell, Essex
22 April
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments