Today is the ancient feast of St Michael and All Angels, traditionally known in England as Michaelmas. The feast itself was celebrated across Western Christendom, but Michaelmas became deeply woven into English life. It marked the turning of the seasons, the end of harvest, and became one of England’s four traditional quarter days, when rents were paid, contracts began and legal and university terms were reckoned. For centuries, churches dedicated to St Michael stood across England, often depicting the Archangel armed for battle and defeating the dragon, the triumph of God over Satan and evil. St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle