Poor Saint James and Namur Belgium!

[scruffy1]

I will be attending a conference in Firenze this September and have been searching around for sites connected with Saint James to visit. Nearby Pistoia has a beautiful altar in silver dedicated to Saint James which I saw years and years ago and will be going back to see again. I don't remember viewing the relics of Saint James purported to be in the same church, Saint Andrea. Did some research, "Portals Pilgrimage and Crusade in Western Tuscany" by Dorothy F. Glass was helpful (a wonderful book in itself). One Atto of Pistoia (Spanish of course) was instrumental in translating the relics but was also assisted by Saint Rainerius from nearby Pisa. Further study revealed a foot of Saint James in Namur, Belgium; a mummified hand in Marlowe, England, and another 9 pieces of skull and a dozen bits of limbs scattered throughout Europe. This all without mentioning Saint James Armenian Cathedral here in Jerusalem which was founded well before the coming of Saint Helena and Constantine, the Armenians believe that their church stands on the place where Saint James was martyred and that they possess both the head as well as a scarf similar to that in Turino upon which his face is imprinted.
All interesting and common enough given the history and legends surrounding relics and the translations of saints in Europe-those interested should see "Furta Sacra" by Patrick J. Geary. But I would like some more information concerning Namur and the reliquary there, since next Spring I plan to make a swing through Germany-Belgium-Holland viewing Carolingian architecture and can easily fit Namur into my schedule. Anyone out there can help?