Who is Santiago?

St. James of the English speaking world seems a cloudy, undefined figure. In Spain, Santiago seems to have two strong personalities. He is alleged to have come to the area during his life searching for converts but with little success. There is some historical evidence for this. Centuries later his bones were allegedly brought to Santiago for burial. He is sometimes portrayed as the exemplary simple pilgrim himself, the role model for us.

His existence seems to have served strong political, military purposes as well.

Here Santiago is the moor slayer, his horse about to trample an axe wielding moor underfoot. Several decapitated heads lie under the horse. Apparently European soldiers fighting during the reconquista would tell each other of sightings of Santiago himself leading the battle.

The medieval Spanish mind is hard to fathom. It seems gullible and uncritical. I wonder what notions I buy into that will cause future generations to wonder about me and my thinking?