Bust Terracotta Of A Young Knight Of The Order Of Santiago, Eighteenth Century

Terracotta sculpture, eighteenth century Height: 50 cm. Width: 40 cm This attractive bust represents a handsome young man in armor, wearing a large fluted strawberry. It sports the Order of Santiago (St. James of the Sword), military order and Catholic religious, now honorary order in Spain and Portugal. The Military Order of St. James of the Sword (Órden Militar of Sant'Iago del Espada) was born in Spain in the province of León around the year 1170. Regular canons of the Order of St. Augustine built at that time several hospitals on the road to Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, with the aim of rescuing the many pilgrims who were frequently attacked by the Moors, then masters of a part of Spain. Shortly after, thirteen gentlemen ("Los Caballeros de Cáceres") joined these religious and committed themselves, placing themselves under the invocation of Saint-Jacques, to assure the paths and to make the passage easier to the Christians. From then on, these knights united with the monks of Lerio and submitted to the rule of St. Augustine. They thus laid the first foundations of the Order of St. James of the Epee, which received its final name in 1171, and was successively approved by a brief of Pope Alexander III, in 1175 - Benedictus Deus, and confirmed by Innocent III in 1200. Knights made vows similar to those of Hospitallers or Templars. In addition to their hospitable role, they helped to evangelize territories reclaimed from the Moors. Very good state of conservation. Sold with invoice & certificate