Saints and Emblems of the British Isles Quiz

Answer: 17th March

His origins are disputed, some say he was born in Wales and taken to Ireland by the Romans. He is the patron saint of Ireland and is said to have driven out all the snakes from Ireland.

Answer: Shamrock

St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). He would hold up the shamrock, which has three leaves and ask if it was one leaf or three. The reply was that it was both, to which St. Patrick said it was the same with God. The plant was adopted by his followers.

Answer: April 23rd

Credited with the slaying of a dragon, the patron saint of England was tortured and beheaded for his faith in Lydda, Palestine. He is also patron saint of Moscow, Georgia and Barcelona amongst others. He never set foot in England.

Answer: Rose

It is said that after slaying the dragon, George offered the princess that he had rescued, a red rose. The rose was adopted by the Tudor family who subsequently came to rule England. The first Tudor king of England being Henry the VII.

Answer: March 1st

St. David is the patron saint of Wales. St. David's Day, being the national day of Wales, is celebrated on March 1st every year. It commemorates the death of the Saint (Dewi Sant) who was a Welsh bishop during the 6th century. St. David's Day is a significant cultural celebration in Wales, marked by various events, parades, and activities that highlight Welsh heritage and identity.

Answer: Daffodil

The daffodil is only a recent addition to the culture of Wales as the Welsh word for daffodil and leek are similar and the Welsh wore a leek in their hats to distinguish themselves from the enemy, the English.

Answer: November 30th

St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, is thought to have been one of Jesus Christ's disciples, the brother of Simon Peter. He was chosen to be the patron saint of Scotland after the Battle of Bannockburn.

Answer: Thistle

The story goes that a band of Scots were sleeping in a field and a group of Vikings were intent on killing them as they slept. As they crept ever closer, one Viking stood on a thistle and screamed in pain, the noise awoke the Scots, who soon routed the Vikings. Ever since this event, the Scots have adopted the thistle as their national emblem.

Answer: Iona

Born into Irish nobility on December 7, 521 AD, he became interested in the Church as a young man and in 563 AD, after being ordained he set off for Iona with 12 disciples. He subsequently died there on 9th June 597 AD, at the age of 76.

Answer: Margaret

Fleeing the advancing armies of William the Conqueror, Margaret, along with her family, fled to Scotland. King Malcolm was so enamoured by her grace, beauty and gentleness, that he sought her hand in marriage. Margaret had determined that her life should be spent in doing God's work but realised that she could do more as Queen of Scotland. Margaret's presence touched all those who met her.