¡Santiago! facts for kids
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The phrase ¡Santiago! (or ¡Santiago y cierra, España!) was a famous battle cry used by Spanish soldiers during the Reconquista and the time of the Crusades in medieval Spain. The full cry, "¡Santiago y cierra España!" means "St. James and close, Spain!" or "St. James and attack, Spain!" It was a way to ask Saint James for help in battle. Some people thought "close" meant to protect Spain from invaders, like closing a border. Others believed it meant to "close in" on the enemy, meaning to attack them directly. Saint James became the special protector, or patron, of Spain. He was seen as a source of hope and strength for Christian people during hard times, wars, and when they faced danger.
How the Cry Began
The first time this war cry was reportedly used was in the 800s. It is said that Saint James appeared to King Ramiro I of Asturias (who ruled from 842 to 850) before the Battle of Clavijo. Saint James encouraged the Christian king and promised him victory, saying: "I will come to your aid and on the morrow by the hand of God you will overcome the countless multitude of Saracens... You will see me on a white horse... bearing a great white banner."
Just as he promised, Saint James appeared on a white horse during the battle. The Spanish troops then shouted, "May God and St. James help us!"
This battle is where the cry of Saint James is believed to have started. Over time, during the Middle Ages and the Reconquista of Spain, Saint James became strongly linked with helping in battles. This is why he was sometimes called Santiago Matamoros, which means "Saint James the Moor-slayer." By the 1100s and 1200s, it was very common for Spanish soldiers and crusaders to ask for help from God, the Virgin Mary, or different Catholic saints before fighting Muslim armies. This is shown in an old poem called Cantar de mio Cid, where it says:
- "Los Moros llaman Mafomat e los Cristianos Santi Yague."
- "The Moors call on Muhammad, and the Christians on Santiago."
During the heat of battle, war cries were a normal part of fighting. While many different battle cries were used throughout the Reconquista (like "St. Mary and Santiago!" or "Castilla!"), the most famous and lasting one was "¡Santiago y cierra, España!"
See also
In Spanish: ¡Santiago y cierra, España! para niños
