Search for "dragon" on Google and you’ll inevitably be referred to Wikipedia.

Wikipedia states that:

“A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that features in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern mythologies, and the Chinese dragon, with counterparts in Japan (namely the Japanese dragon), Korea and other East Asian countries."

In George and the Dragon the reader is introduced to several of the magnificent creatures. They are classic European dragons in style.  Born in realm awash with magic they are the most noble of all the mythical creatures. They are capable of flight, magic, precognition and all have a breath weapon.  Magic also grants them such powers as limited telepathy and teleportation.

They inhabit a parallel earth and magic can be used to force open the gateways between their realm and ours.  This has been accomplished many times in the past and a web of magical strands now laces between the two realms binding them together for as long as the magic last.  With the realms bound to each other transit between them, for those with the knowledge, has become easier over the centuries.

Dragons are split into castes dictated by size, power and their position in society.

Dragon society is based upon a matriarchal monarchy with a single queen ruling over all the dragons.  If a new female is born then they will become queen when they mature and the reigning queen will abdicate and leave the realm.  This is referred to as taking their last flight.  So the majority of dragons, regardless of caste, are male.

Common dragons:

Common dragons are both the most populace and the smallest of the dragons.  They are roughly two thirds of the size of Spitfire; a Royal dragon and one of the main characters in George and the Dragon.

Their colouration is predominantly a single dull colour with of small patches of a secondary complimentary colour:

“A minute or two later and three more dragons joined them. Each one a different colour. George looked closer and realised the dragons were also patterned with a second colour. The last dragon that landed was a deep burnt orange in colour. But George noted that it was also speckled with patches of red. The black dragon, that had landed first, had dark blue patterning which almost blurred into the black of the rest of its hide. The patterning was most prominent around the point where the dragon’s wings joined to their backs. It was also visible at the back of their heads, near the top of their necks and at the top of their chests.”

Royal dragons:

Royal dragons are larger and less numerous than common dragons.  Spitfire’s wing span is approximately twice that of a Spitfire aircraft and his length is about the same. 

The colouration of Royal Dragons is also more dazzling often resembling a similar colour to that of a precious stone such as an Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby.

Royal dragons are referred to as Princes and they fight amongst themselves in terrifying aerial battle for the right to become the Prince consort and mate with the queen.  Thus only the most powerful Prince gets to pass on his genes to the next generation.

Queen dragons are similar in size to Royal dragons.  Up to the point where a female dragon is crowned they look identical of the Princes.  However, they are longer, slimmer and faster in flight.

Once they ascend the throne their colouration changes.  They shed their skin and become a colour that is more akin to pearlescent white or in some cases a very pale shade of their former colour with a pearlescent tint.

Harbinger Dragons

On rare occasions if a Prince dragon lives long enough and undertakes the right paths of study they may become precognitive.  If their ability to scry the future is strong enough then they will mutate.

They will grow up to twice the size of a Royal dragon and their colouration will change to either Gold or Silver. 

In the air they are graceful yet lack the manoeuvrability of their smaller brethren.  They also develop the ability to breathe true dragonfire.  It is impossible to quench dragonfire by normal means or magic.  Dragonfire will burn all it touches until it runs out of fuel only then will it falter and fade out of existence. 

Dragon beliefs:

Dragons are not religious most of them live far too long to believe in gods.  However, they do believe in higher powers.  They call them the Fates.  Dragons believe that life is game played by the Fates and the winner of each game determines the course of major events in the lives of dragons and humankind. 

Dragon Names:

True dragon names are powerful. Translated they can seem long and verbose:

"George looked up at the dragon with sore eyes and asked in a quiet voice. “You know my name, may I ask what yours is?”

“My name, roughly translated into your language, is more like a title. I am the Emerald, fanged, flying lizard that spits fire, prince of the realm, master of the skies, feared by all!” Declared the dragon while puffing up its chest with pride." 

The power of a dragons true name can be used to magically bind them.  Spells of binding are woven into items such as rings, swords, spears and the like.  These items can then be used to summon the dragon and force the dragon to submit to the item wielder's will.  To complete the spell of summoning the item wielder must give the dragon a new name by which he will be known.