Moving to the top left: According to legend, St. James preached in Spain before his death, so bringing Christianity to western Europe. His martyred body was miraculously brought back by boat to Padron in Galicia, and then buried secretly in a field some miles away. It was discovered centuries later with the aid of a guiding star. This place became the famous pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostella, “St. James of the field of the star.” St. James carries a pilgrim staff and wears the cap-badge of all pilgrims to Santiago, the cockle-shell, our church’s symbol. Behind him is a star.

St. James, the elder brother of St. John, was one of the “inner circle” of disciples, a very popular Medieval saint and the patronal saint of Cradley church, possibly because a pilgrim route passed nearby.