Pilgrim badge, representing St James the Moor-Slayer

This silver-gilt scallop-shaped pilgrim's badge is set with a carved jet representation of St James's legendary appearance at the Battle of Clavijo in Spain. It dates from the 16th or 17th century.

St James is alleged to have appeared on horseback at the unrecorded Battle of Clavijo in 844. He is said to have rallied the Christian troops and defeated the Muslims. Such carvings, representing St James as 'Santiago Matamoros' (the Moor-Slayer), are rare.

Santiago had become one of the principal shrines in Christendom by the twelfth century and was drawing an estimated half a million visitors a year at the height of its popularity in the Middle Ages.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-035-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1905.1158
• Date: 16th or 17th century
  17th century
  
• Material: Silver set with a jet carving
  Token, pilgrim / signaculum
  
• Dimensions: 1.63" D
  
• What: Token, pilgrim / signaculum
  
• Subject: Precious metals : silver
  
• Who: St Jago di Compostella
  
• Where: Spain
  
• Event:
• Description: Pilgrim token or signaculum in the form of a scallop shell of silver set with a circular carving of jet displaying the equestrian figure of St Jago di Compostella: possibly Spanish, 17th century
  
• References:
  • Evans, G. Souvenirs From Roman Times to the Present Day. Edinburgh: NMS Publishing Ltd, 1999, p 4. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: