Accession Number

1986.008.0051b

Creation Date

circa 1600

Description

One of two pieces. See also 1986.008.0051a. Probably part of set with 1986.008.0052.

Exhibition Label

Case Caption (2023):

The Sword and the Cross

In 710, Arabs conquered the Spanish peninsula, uniting its small kingdoms under
their rule. By the 1100s, Spain’s Christian kings were organizing successful resistance.

To encourage new leaders, they founded four military-religious orders of knighthood: Santiago, Calatrava, Alcantra, and Montesa. Even after they succeeded in driving out the last Muslims in 1492, membership in an order of knighthood remained both a religious and martial honor. Each order of knighthood had a specific style of cross associated with it. Members of each order proudly displayed these symbols, embroidered on their clothes or decorating their possessions.
Object Caption (2023): 

Sword Fittings
Silver (c.1610)
Gift of Jamestown Inc.
1986.008.0051a-b, 1986.008.0052, 1986.008.0053

The scallop shell design of these sword fittings was worn by those who had made a pilgrimage to the shrine of Santiago Compostela in Spain. They probably belonged to don Bernardino de Lugo.