Wikipedia - that ever-reliable source of accurate information - says:
In the fully-developed Western version (of the legend of George and the Dragon), a dragon makes its nest at the spring that provides water for the city of 'Silene' (perhaps modern Cyrene) in Libya or the city of Lydda. Consequently, the citizens have to dislodge the dragon from its nest for a time, in order to collect water. To do so, each day they offer the dragon at first a sheep, and if no sheep can be found, then a maiden must go instead of the sheep. The victim is chosen by drawing lots. One day, this happens to be the princess. The monarch begs for her life to be spared, but to no avail. She is offered to the dragon, but there appears Saint George on his travels. He faces the dragon, protects himself with the sign of the cross, slays it and rescues the princess. The grateful citizens abandon their ancestral paganism and convert to Christianity.
...and so they named dozens of pubs after Georgie and his fire-breathing protagonist. Especially, the George and the Dragon at Fordwich, Kent. Used to be nice, but not so nice now as it used to be (better to nip round the corner to the Fordwich Arms instead).
* King Edward III made George the Patron Saint of England when he formed the Order of the Garter in St. George's name in 1350, and the cult of the Saint was further advanced by King Henry V, at the battle of Agincourt in northern France. George also has patronage over herpes, leprosy, plague, skin diseases and rashes and syphilis - or so it says here.
