The White Dragon of the English

Nennius in his “Historia Brittonvm” (9th Century,) relates that the Brythons (ancient Britons) used the Red Dragon as their symbol while fighting the Anglo-Saxons, some of whom used a White Dragon. This parallels the legend of “Llud a Llefelys.” In this legend, Myrddin (Merlin) manages to drug the two fighting dragons (one Red, the other White) who are terrorising Britain. In the end Myrddin tells the King that the two dragons are fated to share the same land and will have to learn to cooperate and live with one another although they will be in opposition to each other. Allegorically, this reflected the medieval situation in Britain as well as in present day.

The Saxon army of Harold Godwinson (Harold II) flew a standard of a White Dragon, which was probably like a windsock. This may explain why the White Dragon of the English only has two legs as they would have been used as part of the attachment to the banner pole. A rear set of legs would have been superfluous. The Bayeux Tapestry shows the White Dragon as Reddish in colour but this is possibly because the makers of the tapestry possibly wanted to define it. The Saxons flew the White Dragon in 1066 at the Battle of Stamford Bridge and the Battle of Hastings.

The White Dragon and the Sutton Hoo Helmet

When reconstructing the Sutton Hoo helmet the first an most obvious feature was the White Dragon design which form the nose piece is the most evocative piece found at the famous Sutton Hoo burial mound. Dating from around 625 AD it is based on a Roman Parade helmet and is similar to the helmets known from the Viking Vendel culture based in Sweden. It demonstrates how the original English peoples were of a mix of ethnic influences from Germany, Sweden, and Denmark. It probably belonged to Raedwald King of the East Angles from around 600 AD to 624 AD. He had strong ties with Sweden. The helmet is kept in the British museum and is a haunting piece to look at up close. The head, tail and wings are clear to see on the front of the helmet and form a protective cross.

Origins of the White Dragon of the English

In early medieval art, the dragon is represented as a winged serpent, or worm. How did the winged fire breathing serpent enter the world view of the early Northern world? The answer is found in the famous Viking Saga Beowulf. The vivid description of the dragon as a worm, coming out only at night when it is seen blazing through night skies cloaked in flame, and doomed to seek out hoards in the ground perfectly describes meteor strikes and shooting stars. It is a frightful, yet reasonable, interpretation of natural phenomenon. They saw a serpent breathing flame flying across the night sky. If it was flying, it clearly had wings. Rarely, a daytime meteor strike was visible, and word of its appearance would make the rounds. Any time a meteor strike was tracked to ground, and the result of its fiery impact into soft ground was investigated, it would seem that the dragon had buried itself deep underground. The Danish buried treasure underground. The dragons must do the same. They come to ground to bury treasure hoards deep in the earth. They do not seem to return to the surface, since none are ever seen emerging from their pits. They must stand guard over their hoard, deep underground, in these unseen lairs. Any man who entered such an underworld would have to do battle royal to steal the dragon’s treasure. This traditional view of a relationship with serpents, griffin, worms and dragons was carried from Scandinavia and ultimately to England. It is the reason why the English share so much mythology with the Nordic Vikings.

The Saxon War Song

by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)

Whet the bright steel,
Sons of the White Dragon!
Kindle the torch,
Daughter of Hengist!
The steel glimmers not for the carving of the banquet,
It is hard, broad and sharp pointed;
The torch goeth not to the bridal chamber,
It steams and glitters blue with sulpher.
Whet the steel, the raven croaks!
Light the torch, Zernebrock is yelling!
Whet the steel, sons of the Dragon!
Kindle the torch, daughter of Hengist!

The black clouds are low over the thane’s castle:
The eagle screams-he rides on their bosom.
Scream not, grey rider of the sable cloud,
Thy banquet is prepared!
The maidens of Valhalla look forth,
The race of Hengist will send them guests.
Shake your black tresses, maidens of Valhalla!
And strike your loud timbrels for joy!
Many a haughty step bends to your halls,
Many a helmed head.

Dark sits the evening upon the thane’s castle,
The black clouds gather round;
Soon shall they be red as the blood of the valiant!
The destroyer of forests shall shake his red crest against them;
He, the bright consumer of palaces,
Broad waves he his blazing banner,
Red, wide, and dusky,
Over the strife of the valiant;
His joy is the clashing swords and broken bucklers;
He loves to lick the hissing blood as it bursts warm from the wound!

All must perish!
The sword cleaveth the helmet;
The strong armour is pierced by the lance:
Fire devoureth the dwelling of princes,
Engines break down the fences of battle.
All must perish!
The race of Hengist is gone-
The name of Horsa is no more!
Shrink not then from your doom, sons of the sword!
Let your blades drink blood like wine;
Feast ye in the banquet of slaughter,
By the light of blazing halls!
Strong be your swords while your blood is warm.
And spare neither for pity nor fear,
For vengeance hath but an hour;
Strong hate itself shall expire!
I also must perish.