The Knights of Saint James, also known as the Order of Santiago, is a Roman Catholic religious and military order founded in the 12th century in Spain. Its primary purpose was to protect pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Saint James the Greater in Santiago de Compostela. The order played a significant role in the Reconquista, the effort to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule. Members of the order took vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, and they were often granted lands and privileges in return for their service. The Knights of Saint James became influential in Spanish society, contributing to the spread of Christianity and the establishment of various monasteries and churches throughout the region.