The St. James’ Way
The St James’ Way is a 68.5-mile pathway devised by members of the Confraternity of St James. It follows a probable route through Southern England, from Reading to Southampton, taken by medieval pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
The St. James’ Way begins at Reading Abbey, founded by Henry I in 1121, which was believed to be the resting place of the Hand of St. James. Whilst its authenticity as the severed hand of the martyred apostle is disputed, it is believed to be the relic brought back to England by the Empress Matilda in the 12th century. As a result of the ‘relic’, Reading was the centre of the cult of St. James in England in the Middle Ages. Pilgrims would have made their way to Reading Abbey to venerate the relic. Then, in order to complete their pilgrimage, they would probably have travelled to the coast via Winchester before catching a boat to Spain. Once in Spain, pilgrims would follow what is now the modern day ‘Camino Inglés’ to the city of Compostela and the tomb of St. James.