The cross of St George has been flying above Abingdon County Hall Museum over the past two days, marking St George’s Day (23rd April) and its place in the civic year.

The flag itself, a simple red cross on a white background, carries centuries of tradition. The St George’s flag originated in the Middle Ages and became associated with Saint George, a soldier-saint venerated across Europe. English soldiers began using the red cross as a distinguishing emblem during the Crusades, and by the 13th century it had become a national symbol .

Abingdon has a practice of marking particular days by changing the flag on the Hall, and St George’s Day is one occasion when the St George flag is raised. It will probably appear again during the world cup which starts for England on June 17th when England play Croatia in Dallas.