Crafts for Every Holiday

Michaelmas: September 29

Dating back to the 6th century, Michaelmas, or the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, is still celebrated in the Celtic provinces in England and France. According to the Bible, Michael was the angel who threw Lucifer out of heaven. St. George, the Archangel's earthly representative, slew dragons.

St. George is the patron Saint of England. The story goes that in a village in a far distant country, there was a fearsome dragon that terrorized the community. Unless the villagers appeased him, the dragon would destroy crops and homes (and people) with the flames and smoke that poured from this nostrils. To keep him happy, they fed him sheep and other animals every day. When they ran out of livestock, they drew lots and began offering people from the community. When the lot fell to the King's daughter, she was prepared to be sacrificed and tied to the tower. St. George appeared as a valiant knight who slew the dragon with this magic sword, Ascalon. The people were so grateful, they all were baptized and became Christians.

This is a good time to learn about dragons in myth and legend. Make costumes and play knights and damsels. Watch a movie such as Ivanhoe, First Knight, Dragonslayer, or Dragonheart. Find your local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a medieval recreational society, and attend one of their public events. Learn about the different ways dragons have been represented in different cultures. Make one out of papier-mâchè or clay or make a dragon costume.