Santiago Miles Christi

The support of the monarchy has been especially important throughout the history of Santiago Cathedral, for both its founding and construction. Fernando II, who died on January 22, 1188 without seeing the finished cathedral, had asked to be buried there (giving rise to the Royal Pantheon)—a wish that his son and heir, Alfonso IX, fulfilled as soon as he could.

The protagonism of Fernando II and Alfonso IX in finalizing the work on the cathedral and arranging its interior before it was consecrated was closely linked to the political situation in the Kingdom of León. This, together with the regal imagery on the Portico and its external facade, have led several people to believe that the column statue now kept in a private collection near Santiago may depict Fernando II himself.

This is one of the works identified by López Ferreiro as coming from the cathedral's western facade.

It is widely accepted that the column statue represents a biblical king. Yet for Francisco Prado-Vilar it depicts the Apostle James as a "Miles Christi" (soldier of Christ), suggesting that Santiago Cathedral was the place chosen to hold "great ceremonies glorifying the alliance between the "regnum" (kingdom) and "sacerdotium" (ecclesiastical hierarchy), such as weapon investitures and coronations."

Be that as it may, the piece's association with Master Mateo's craft and workshop, and its unique style and iconography, are undeniable. It continues to pique the interest of researchers, helping them to delve deeper into the role that Fernando II and Alfonso IX had in building the cathedral, and the special importance both gave it during their respective reigns.