Counts and Pilgrims- In the Days of the Cid

 

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostella is one of the glories of Christendom. It was, and is, a place of pilgrimage. 

Time was if you walked from your home nation to Santiago you got a free billet in the equally glorious Palace of The Catholic Kings. At least you did in my young day. That pilgrimage is known as the Camina.  

Santiago, St. James, was the patron saint of the Re-Conquista. It was from the Rainy West that the Re-Conquista was launched. Green Spain as it is often called. Extra manpower was always welcome.

Crusaders could fight for Christ and fulfil their vows on the Spanish marches. Sometimes a spell fighting and visiting the shrines of Spain was enough. Those who had done it wore a scallop shell to indicate the achievement. For others a stop off on the way to Outremer was useful.

Currently I have no Crusaders for Spain. Although any Norman figures would do well enough. Instead I was minded for something more exotic. English perhaps or Scandinavians. I settled on Norse Irish meaning the dwellers in the Viking settlements of Ireland. Both they and the native Irish enjoyed going on Pilgrimage. Here they are. 

Essex figures. I think their long robes look nice in a Spanish context. 

You might recall in a previous Cid post we looked at Moorish Emirs. 

Here you see my Christian Counts and a martial Bishop. 

Figures from Donnington.

With that my Spanish Army is game ready.