<p>Alfonso VI of León-Castile was perhaps the greatest royal patron of the shrine of St James and the Camino de Santiago, his gold and ambition helping transform it into one of the most important pilgrimage centers of medieval Europe. This episode follows his rise to power, his alliance with Cluny, his role in Christian expansion into Muslim-held lands, and his connection to the shrine of St James before his death plunged northern Spain into turmoil.</p>

S3 E6 - The Pilgrim Experience in a Medieval Camino de Santiago Town

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.