Saint James the Moor-slayer
Encyclopedia
Saint James the Moor-slayer (Santiago Matamoros) – iconographic type of St. James, son of Zebedee in the Battle of Clavijo
(Spain, 844) against Muslims, symbol of Reconquista
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According to Spanish legend, Saint James appeared as a warrior on his white horse with white banner to help Christian armies of king Ramiro I
in battle against the Moors. They won, and James became known as "Matamoros"; to this day he is Spain's patron saint.
Battle of Clavijo
The Battle of Clavijo was a legendary battle, supposedly fought in 844 near Clavijo between the Christians led by Ramiro I of Asturias and the Muslims led by the Emir of Córdoba. Saint James the Great, known to Spaniards as Santiago Matamoros , is reputed to have aided the vastly outnumbered...
(Spain, 844) against Muslims, symbol of Reconquista
Reconquista
The Reconquista was a period of almost 800 years in the Middle Ages during which several Christian kingdoms succeeded in retaking the Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula broadly known as Al-Andalus...
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According to Spanish legend, Saint James appeared as a warrior on his white horse with white banner to help Christian armies of king Ramiro I
Ramiro I of Asturias
Ramiro I was King of Asturias from 842 until his death. Son of Bermudo I, he succeeded Alfonso II.First, he had to deal with the usurper Nepocian, defeating him at the Battle of the Bridge of Cornellana, by the river Narcea. Ramiro then removed the system of election which allowed his family to be...
in battle against the Moors. They won, and James became known as "Matamoros"; to this day he is Spain's patron saint.