<p>This episode discusses how the image of St James was transformed into a knight leading Christian military efforts against the Muslims in Spain. It will explore the role of Compostela’s cathedral chapter in creating and promoting this new image and discuss how the shrine benefited politically and economically from the association. It will further show how the legend of the so-called Santiago Matamoros became a symbol of Spanish identity and colonizing power. </p>

S2 E2 - Women on the Medieval Camino de Santiago

Why did the Camino de Santiago develop and what was it like as it became one of the top European pilgrimages in the Middle Ages, laying the foundation for thousands of pilgrims to still walk it today? Historian John Seasholtz will discuss people, places and power in communities along the medieval pilgrim roads to Santiago de Compostela. The podcast should be of interest to modern-day pilgrims or anyone with a curiosity to learn more about the history of pilgrimage, medieval Europe and Spain during a formative time in our human experience. Additional information can be found at scholarlypilgrim.com.