Margaret and the Dragons of Lynn

Margaret of Antioch: A Closer Look at a Legendary Christian Martyr Who Left Her Mark on King’s Lynn

Margaret of Antioch: Introduction

Margaret of Antioch, or Saint Margaret the Virgin, is one of the most iconic figures in Christian tradition, particularly during the Middle Ages. Her story is steeped in legend, and although we can’t be sure about the historical accuracy of her life, her tale captivated generations of Christians. The narrative of Margaret isn’t just a story of martyrdom; it’s a symbol of faith, resilience, and divine intervention. This post explores Margaret’s origins, how her legend grew, and the deeper meanings behind her story.

St Margaret’s Church (The Minster) in King’s Lynn is dedicated to her.

Margaret of Antioch: Historical Context

Margaret of Antioch is said to have lived in the 3rd or 4th century, during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian, known for his persecution of Christians. However, it’s hard to find concrete historical evidence of Margaret’s life. Most of what we know comes from medieval hagiographies—stories written about saints. These texts, though not entirely reliable as history, played a big role in shaping how people understood saints and their virtues.

Margaret’s tale falls into the genre of “Virgin Martyr” stories, which were quite popular during the early Christian period. Like other saints, her legend portrays a young woman who chooses faith over worldly temptations, in this case, rejecting a marriage to a pagan official. By the 9th century, Margaret was already a popular figure across Europe, revered especially for her association with protection during childbirth.

Margaret of Antioch: The Legend

The story of Margaret is one of extreme devotion, courage, and a lot of miraculous happenings. According to the legend, she was born in Antioch (modern-day Turkey), the daughter of a pagan priest. After her mother passed away, Margaret was raised by a Christian nurse and soon converted to Christianity herself, which eventually led to her martyrdom.

Margaret caught the attention of Olybrius, a Roman governor, who wanted to marry her because of her beauty. She refused him, declaring her loyalty to Christ. This refusal angered Olybrius, who had her imprisoned and subjected to torture, hoping she would abandon her faith. Margaret, however, remained steadfast.

One of the most memorable parts of Margaret’s story is her encounter with a dragon in the dungeon where she was kept. According to the legend, the dragon swallowed her whole, but Margaret made the sign of the cross, and the dragon burst open, freeing her unharmed. The dragons in her story feature regularly on much of the iconography representing King’s Lynn.

This miracle, showing Margaret’s faith overpowering evil, is one of the most famous aspects of her legend. Despite surviving other tortures through divine intervention, Margaret was eventually beheaded, marking her as a martyr.

Margaret of Antioch: Symbolism and Religious Significance

Margaret’s story is filled with symbolism, making her a key figure for medieval Christians. Her refusal to marry a pagan official and her willingness to endure torture highlights the tension between the spiritual and worldly powers that early Christians often faced. Margaret’s virginity is also central to her story—it represents not just physical purity but a complete devotion to God, a common theme in tales of early Christian saints.

The dragon episode is particularly rich in symbolism. In Christian literature, dragons often represent the devil or evil forces. By overcoming the dragon through faith, Margaret becomes a symbol of victory over sin and temptation. The cross, used to defeat the dragon, reinforces the idea that it’s through belief in Christ that one can overcome evil.

Margaret also became associated with childbirth, which might seem like an odd connection at first. if we think about her escape from the belly of the dragon, it’s easy to see how this miraculous birth-like event resonated with women who were worried about the dangers of labor. Margaret became a patron saint for pregnant women, who would pray for her protection during childbirth.

Margaret of Antioch: Cult and Veneration

Margaret’s cult, or religious following, grew rapidly in both Eastern and Western Christianity. Known as Saint Marina in the East, she was already a figure of devotion in early Christian communities, but her popularity soared in medieval Europe, especially after the 9th century. Her story appeared in The Golden Legend, a hugely influential collection of saints’ lives compiled by Jacobus de Voragine in the 13th century. The Golden Legend brought Margaret’s tale to a wider audience, making her one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers,” saints people turned to for help during times of need.

Her feast day is celebrated on July 20 in the Roman Catholic tradition, although in more recent times, the Church has re-evaluated many early saints, including Margaret, due to the lack of historical evidence. Even so, her story remains a powerful part of Christian folklore, and she’s still remembered in religious art and literature, often depicted standing over a defeated dragon.

Margaret of Antioch: The Spread of Her Story

Margaret’s legend spread through a variety of literary forms, including Latin texts, vernacular adaptations, and poetic retellings. The Golden Legend played a major role in popularizing her story across Europe, and her narrative was adapted in different languages, making it accessible to people of various cultures.

Her story wasn’t confined to texts alone; Margaret also appeared in medieval plays, particularly in religious drama. The visual drama of her tortures, miracles, and martyrdom made her story perfect for theatrical performance, which was often tied to religious festivals.

Margaret of Antioch: Conclusion

Margaret of Antioch is more than just a figure from legend; she represents the values that early Christians held dear—faith, purity, and perseverance in the face of persecution. While the historical facts of her life may be hard to pin down, her story’s influence on medieval devotion is undeniable. Whether invoked by women during childbirth or admired for her miraculous escape from the dragon, Margaret’s legend has left a lasting mark on Christian tradition.

Her tale reflects the fears and hopes of early Christians, and it resonates with themes of struggle, divine intervention, and triumph over evil. For the believer, Margaret of Antioch may serve as a reminder of how stories—regardless of their historical accuracy—can inspire faith and offer comfort in times of hardship. For many others, she is a key to understanding the dragons in King’s Lynn.

© James Rye 2024

See also: The Sinner and The Dragon

Book a Walk with a Trained and Qualified King’s Lynn Guide Through Historic Lynn.

Sources

• Farmer, David Hugh. Oxford Dictionary of Saints. Oxford University Press, 2011
• Salisbury, Joyce E. Perpetua’s Passion: The Death and Memory of a Young Roman Woman. Routledge, 1997
• Voragine, Jacobus de. The Golden Legend, trans. William Granger Ryan. Princeton University Press, 1993