The cathedral has a fine museum, full of
interesting things. I am going to focus on just one of them: this
alabaster alarpiece showing the life and martyrdom of St James in five
panels.
The first panel shows the calling of James and John, sons of Zebedee,
fishing on the Sea of Galilee. The second shows Christ instructing his
apostles to spread the word: James is at the lower right of the group of
apostles. The thurd panel shows James preaching: the fourth shows his
martydom at the behest of Herod. The final panel shows the followers of
James placing him in a boat, according to legend made of stone, for his
journey to Spain.
So why this altarpiece? It has a curious origin. It is not Spanish, but was made in Nottinghamshire, and is one of the finest extant examples of Nottingham alabaster. Little remains in England: much was lost in the reformation, though the Victoria and Albert Museum in London has some fine examples. Now how did it get to Santiago? Is is suggested that it was taken there by a pilgrim as a donation, though that pilgrim would not have found it easy to carry it!