1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Seven Champions of Christendom

SEVEN CHAMPIONS OF CHRISTENDOM, the name given in medieval tales to the seven national saints—of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Spain and Italy—i.e. Saints George, Andrew, Patrick, David, Denis, James and Anthony. The classical version of their achievements is that of Richard Johnson (1573–c. 1659), Famous Historie of the Seaven Champions of Christendom (3 parts, 1596, 1608, 1610: many editions). The oldest known copy is dated 1597; there is also a poetical version by Sir George Buc (published 1623).