This curious individual is famous for the controversies he has stirred up among art historians. Evocative of images of St. George and of Santiago Matamoros, his completely non-aggressive posture and expression have puzzled experts. Interpreting the figure allegorically, some have seen him as Charlemagne, others as Christ overcoming the Old Law, still others as Constantine triumphing over paganism. Whatever the sculptor's intent, his creation is by no means unique. Similar equestrian figures are found in the region, notably at Parthenay le Vieux and at La Rochette. The latter two horsemen wear what seems to be a crown and crush underfoot, as at Melle, a human figure. The horseman at Parthenay, less weathered that his analogue at La Rochette, canters along, his cloak flapping in the wind, and carries a falcon on his wrist. He is more visibly derived from Hispano-Arabic art that his neighbors at Melle and La Rochette, but this fact does nothing to enlighten the mystery surrounding such figures.