Top tier mural; central figure

William of Aquitaine (circa 755 – 28 May 812 or 814) was the famous 8th-century Duke of Aquitaine, cousin of Charlemagne, who fought against the Muslim invasion of Languedoc in 793 before founding an abbey at Gellone which he granted to the Benedictine Order. In 1066 he was canonized Saint William of Gellone.

Despite the clear inscription behind the Actopan figure, appearing as the central figure in the top tier of the the North wall, the historical confusion between the 8th century Duke of Aquitaine and William of Maleval (?-1157) was likely brought to New Spain by the Augustinians. The inaccuracy lies in the 12th century biography by hagiographer Theodobald of the life of William of Maleval, in which the text conflates him with the earlier William of Gellone, generating a singular narrative out of two distinct historical figures and saints.

Not a warrior nor a Benedictine, rather the 12th century hermit from Poitiers, France, William of Maleval ultimately became a hermit in the Tuscan countryside, living a life of prayer and penance. After his death, his contemporary biographer and disciple Albert helped form the Order of Hermits of William (Williamites). Fasting and discalced, many Williamites eventually did join the Augustinian order, around 1256.

Even in later, Baroque renditions of William of Aquitaine the saint is erroneously depicted in Augustinian attire.