Also known as the Military Order of St. James of the Sword
The Order's primary mission was to provide security from Muslim attackers for pilgrims traveling to and from the tomb of the apostle St. James, believed at the time to have been in Compostela. It was the largest pilgrimage center in Iberia, if not all of Latin Christendom, with the possible later exceptions of Rome and the tomb of Thomas a Becket in England.
In 1175 Pope Alexander II approved the new Order in his Bull Benedictus Deus. The Knights of Santiago took vows similar to the other major crusading orders with the exception of marital chastity, which was permitted.The Order has had a colorful and fascinating history involving combat against the moors during the Reconquista as well as being drawn into inter-Christian warfare during the same period.
The Order was effectively secularized in the sixteenth-century and came under the authority of the Spanish Crown with a new mission of "social orientation." The Order is still in existence in its modern form as the Order of Chivaly of Santiago.The Order continues to accept applications for membership from those who can prove the noble ancestory of their four grand-parents, that they are descended from Christians, and that they are Catholics in good standing. Only one ceremony is held each year for the admission of new Knights.
Guy Stair Sainty- The Military Order of Santiago- Almanach
Crusading Orders- Crusades-Encyclopedia
Reconquista- Crusades-Encyclopedia
St. James the Moorslayer- Crusades-Encyclopedia
(c) Andrew Holt, August 2005- Permission is granted for electronic copying or distribution in print for educational or personal use. No permission is granted for commercial use.