Present Day
Today the Order of Santiago still exists under the Spanish crown. Currently there are 35 knights and 30 novices in the order. Admission to the order is determined if the applicant has noble ancestry. Until 1653 nobility was checked by looking at only the paternal grandparents' family history. Changes have been made so that maternal grandparents are included in verifying noble ancestry. Other qualification to join the order is that the applicant must be a practicing Catholic, were of legitimate birth including parents and grandparents, and that they are not descended from non-Christians. As of 1655 some of the new duties of the order is to defend the belief of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
Their symbol is a cross of Saint James, a red cross terminating in a sword (cross fleury fitchy in heraldry), which recalls their title de la Espada, and a shell (la venera), which they doubtless owe to their connection with the pilgrimage of St. James.
Read more about this topic: Order Of Santiago
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