Woot 22.
To attempt to answer you questions...

Pretty much ignored by the majority truth be known? It's not considered the done thing in England to express ones englishness in a forthright way and only about a fifth of the English population know when Saint George's day is and a quarter don't know he is England's patron Saint. Bit of a sad turnout really. Certainly nothing like Saint Patrick's Day anyway.

Saint George has been followed as a bit of a cult bloke in England since the 9th century but became Patron Saint of England sometime in the 14th Century knocking Saint Edmund off the number one slot.

He was basically a downright good egg although the slaying of dragons is a might far fetched. He impressed Edward the Confessor emmencely as the epitomy of a chilvalrous knight. Edward having a sizable amount of pull at the time decided he was the man for us.

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) put him firmly on the map in Henry V with the rallying cry of "God for Harry, England and Saint George,” . Interesting to note - William Shakespeare was born AND died on 23 April, St George's Day.

No doubt this post will be followed by an actually or two so pay attention at the back...