This story is reproduced in numerous Chap books in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The story as it relates to the early life of St George, is here condensed and reproduced in part.

In remote ages, when enchanters committed all sorts of cruelties, an oracle declared that seven champions would arise in Christendom, whose renown for valiant deeds should resound throughout the earth: first, St Denis of France; second, St James of Spain; third, St Anthony of Italy; fourth, St Andrew of Scotland; fifth, St Patrick of Ireland; sixth, St David of Wales; and seventh and most renowned, the valiant St George of England.

Calaba, a powerful enchantress, stole six of these heroes, whilst yet in their cradles and resolved also to possess St George (fearing him more than all of the others), she entered his nursery and knowing him by the green dragon on his breast, the red cross on his right arm and the golden garter on his left leg with which he was marked at the time of his birth, she seized him and bore him off.

Calaba detained these youths in her castle till they grew to be men; when the beauty of St George's person so won upon the enchantress, so that she exerted all her arts to induce him to marry her. One day she led him into a magnificent stable, in which stood seven of the most beautiful horses ever seen. The finest one, named Bucephalus, the famous horse of Alexander the Great, she presented to him; then, conducting him into a splendid armoury, she buckled a beautiful corslet on his breast, placed a helmet with a rich plume of feathers on his head, and gave him a highly-tempered sword; when, thus equipped, he looked so exceedingly handsome, that her admiration overcame her, and putting her wand into his hand, she told him to use her power as he pleased. He, detesting her wicked practices, when she had retired to a cave in a rock, to feast upon the bodies of murdered infants, waved the wand three times and the rock closed on the cruel enchantress for ever.

He then released the other six champions; and having taken leave of each other they separated, each taking a different road, in search of daring and perilous adventures, which then abounded every where.

The Seven Champions of Christendom

............dragons killed.........maidens rescued

The Seven Champions Of Christendom

............pagans routed.........more maidens and dragons