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The history of dragons in Norwich
No one can say with any certainty where or when the myth of the dragon was born. Perhaps it was a story-teller's embellishment of a sea serpent legend, or even a dramatic response to the discovery of gigantic dinosaur bones. What is clear, though, is that the dragon has captured the imagination of whole societies over the centuries, inspiring fear, awe and admiration. In Japan and China the dragon is a symbol of excellence, while in Europe it represents fire, fury and fighting spirit.
Many dragon tales are linked to saints such as St Michael the Archangel, who was portrayed as a dragon-slayer in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. It is either St Michael or St George who is depicted above Norwich Cathedral's Ethelbert Gate. St Margaret of Antioch, the patron saint of women in childbirth, is another saint who appears in locations throughout the city, for example in St Helen's church at the Great Hospital. She was swallowed by Satan in the shape of a dragon, but managed to escape alive when her crucifix irritated the dragon and burst its belly.
But it is the legend of St George, another dragon-slayer, which has really fuelled the country's fascination with dragons. English interest was stimulated during the crusades, when soldiers seemed inspired by St George's spirit and adopted his symbolism. His ties to England were cemented during the reign of Henry III, when he was declared the patron saint of England. In Norwich two churches bear his name: St George, Tombland, and St George, Colegate. St George and the dragon can be seen elsewhere in the city, too - in an internationally important 15th-century mural in St Gregory's church, for example.
An organisation credited with establishing a significant role for dragons in Norwich is the Guild of St George, founded as a religious guild in 14th-century Norwich to observe St George's Day. It became one of the most powerful and wealthy guilds in the city and developed close ties to the city government. The Guild of St George introduced its annual procession - Guild Day - on 23 April, the date of the saint's martyrdom. St George and Margaret, the maiden he rescued, were represented, and to bring the legend to life Snap the dragon was also introduced. Rushing around, taunting the crowds with wings flapping and smoke shooting from its mouth, Snap soon became a popular element of the procession.
In the late 16th century Guild Day merged with the swearing-in of the city's new mayor. Although St George and Margaret no longer featured in the procession, Snap remained and the procession evolved into a grand civic occasion. Then came the Municipal Corporation Act of 1835, which set out to reform municipal institutions. Civic purse strings were cut and much of the pomp and circumstance of the civic processions disappeared. Snap refused to go quietly, though, and continued to appear occasionally until 1850. In 1997 the Norwich Whifflers revived Snap, whose traditional design is based on originals now housed in Norwich Castle Museum, and so after a lengthy period of absence Snap is once more part of the Lord Mayors' celebration.
Today, most people have heard of dragons of legend, but few know of the mythical creature's deep roots in the history of the city. The powerful and fascinating symbol of the dragon is an ideal vehicle through which to explore and promote Norwich's rich civic and cultural heritage, which is why the Norwich Dragon Festival has been launched.
Further reading
For more detail on the history of dragons in Norwich please read this article by Frank Meeres from the Norfolk Record Office.
An article on dragon mythology and magic has also been submitted by Naomi from Inanna's Festival which offers a different perspective on the history of dragons.
Dragons across Norwich
Many dragons can be discovered on a trail as part of the Festival, featuring permanent dragon fixtures, dragons not normally on display to the publi and dragons that are appearing only during the Festival.
To whet your appetite, here are a few images of dragons across Norwich, from top to bottom:
- Golden wyverns (dragon-related creatures with two or less legs) at Surrey House
- The dragon at Ethelbert Gate at Norwich Cathedral
- St Margaret of Antioch, the patron saint of women in childbirth, bursting out of a dragon. Legend has it that she was swallowed by Satan in the shape of a dragon but managed to escape alive when her crucifix irritated the dragon and burst its belly. This is one of four particularly fine medieval wooden carvings in St Helen's Church at the Great Hospital
- Festival procession with Snapdragon and Whifflers on 24 June 1951, taken by George Plunkett
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