Why is the Court of St. James called that?

Question

If St. George is the patron saint of England why is the Royal

Court named after a different saint? Is James more friendly to

politicians whereas George might run them thru with his lance?

And which St. James is it?

Answer 1

Built on the site of Saint James's (NOT James) leprosarium.

Answer 2

It is not the Court of St. James. It is the Court of St. James's. It refers to the old Palace of St. James, long used for receptions, diplomatic functions, etc.  It means the British royal court, and, by extension, the British government. Thus the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain is actually the Ambassador to the Court of St. James's.

At one time, until recently, actually, our poor Ambassador was supposed to wear silk stockings when doing his Ambassadorial thing. Fortunately that sort of minuet has now ceased.

Answer 3

In simple terms, the Court of St. James [St.James's Palace] St. James London - is the diplomatic court of the UK.

These links should help explain the Court of St.James and it's function and location etc.

Saint James's Palace – FREE Saint James's Palace Information ...Saint James's Palace in Westminster, London, England, on St. James's Street and ... the British court is still designated as the Court of St. James. ...

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-StJa...

St. James's Palace - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaIt is situated on Pall Mall in London, just north of St. James's Park. ... St. James's Palace is still a working palace, and the Royal Court is still ...

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Jam...

United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom - Wikipedia, the ...1 Ministers Plenipotentiary to the Court of St. James's, 1785-1811 ... chargé d'affaires Jonathan Russell was the chief United States officer in London. ...

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_...

The Royal Residences > St James's Palace > HistoryHigh Commissioners present letters and Ambassadors are still formally accredited to the Court of St. James's for this reason. ...

http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page589.a...

51 Buckingham Gate (St. James Court), Westminster - London ...51 Buckingham Gate (St. James Court), Westminster, Apartments in London with details & prices - UK.

http://www.londonservicedapartments.co.u...

The map at this next link will show you St. James's Palace

http://www.touruk.co.uk/london_stjames/l...

Answer 4

The answer above is correct, and the Palace got its name simply because Henry VIII built it on the site of a defunct leper hospital that had been dedicated to Saint James the Less. The park next to the Palace, also on land that had belonged to the hospital, is called St James's Park for the same reason .