Accession Number

1986.008.0620

Creation Date

circa 1620

Description

Silver sulfide encrustation. Absent spiked rowel.

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):

Spur
Silver sulfide encrustation (c.1600)
Gift of Jamestown Inc.
1986.008.0620