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THE STORY OF MAJORCA AND MINORCA
THE STORY OF MAJORCA AND MINORCA
THE STORY OF MAJORCA AND MINORCA BY SIR CLEMENTS R. MARKHAM, K.C.B. AUTHOR OF ‘RICHARD III: LIFE AND CHARACTER’ ‘THE LIFE OF THE GREAT LORD FAIRFAX’ ‘EDWARD VI: AN APPRECIATION’ ETC. WITH TWO MAPS LONDON SMITH, ELDER, & CO., 15 WATERLOO PLACE 1908 [All rights reserved]...
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PREFACE
PREFACE
The story of the Islands of Majorca and Minorca has never been told in our language in a condensed form, although the interest is great from an historical point of view, and the materials sufficient, though not perhaps abundant. It is so closely connected with the history of Aragon and the recovery of the Sicilies from the intruding Angevins that the two cannot be altogether separated. The most that can be done is, as far as practicable, to treat the Aragonese and Sicilian events from a Majorcan
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CHAPTER I Of King Jayme I. of Aragon and how he resolved to conquer Majorca and drive out the Moors
CHAPTER I Of King Jayme I. of Aragon and how he resolved to conquer Majorca and drive out the Moors
Majorca has a very interesting history under its Aragonese princes, and a history which has been well told by those princes themselves and by a loyal vassal who was a diligent seeker after truth. But to understand it we must turn first to the gorges of the Pyrenees and the ports of Catalonia. By the middle of the eighth century the Moors had overcome Spain up to the Pyrenees, and established their rule and their religion in all parts of the country. But there they had to stop. They could not sub
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CHAPTER II Tells how King Jayme won a victory over the Moors of Majorca; and gives some account of the Moorish capital
CHAPTER II Tells how King Jayme won a victory over the Moors of Majorca; and gives some account of the Moorish capital
The little bay of Santa Ponza was alive with boats from the ships, pulling to the shore. The first to land was a young Catalan ensign named Bernardo de Riudemeya, who waved his pennon as a sign for the others to follow him. As a reward the King granted him the estate of Santa Ponza in fee-simple. He was followed by 700 men and the chief officers, including En Nuño, En Ramon de Moncada, En Bernardo de Santa Eugenia de Torrella, Bernardo de Champans, the Master of the Temple, and his knights, maki
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CHAPTER III Tells how En Jayme besieged and took the capital, conquered the whole island, and became the first Christian King of Majorca
CHAPTER III Tells how En Jayme besieged and took the capital, conquered the whole island, and became the first Christian King of Majorca
The rout of the Moorish army removed any obstacle to the commencement of the siege of the capital. The western side of the walls faced the Catalans as they approached from the hills above Porto Pi, but it was defended by a torrent-bed. After a careful reconnaissance, it was resolved to deliver the main attack on the north-east side, at the Belalcofol gate, called by the Spaniards ‘ Pintada .’ Accordingly the King formed his camp facing this gate and about a mile distant, at a place still called
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CHAPTER IV King Jayme’s last visits—Settlement of the island—Acts and death of Jayme I., first King of Majorca
CHAPTER IV King Jayme’s last visits—Settlement of the island—Acts and death of Jayme I., first King of Majorca
The settlement of the country was continued under Bernardo de Torrella, though there were still about two thousand Moors holding out in the mountains under a chief called by the Spaniards Xoarp. Soon alarming news arrived that the King of Tunis was preparing to reconquer Mallorca with a large army, and that he had collected a great number of ships to transport it. The tidings were sent to the King, and were confirmed by Plegamans, who was a newsagent as well as a contractor. En Jayme resolved to
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CHAPTER V Tells how the King of Aragon took up Conradin’s glove; how the Pope’s curses went home to roost; and how En Pedro kept his tryst
CHAPTER V Tells how the King of Aragon took up Conradin’s glove; how the Pope’s curses went home to roost; and how En Pedro kept his tryst
For fifty years after the death of Jayme I. we have the guidance of that delightful old chronicler En Ramon Muntaner, who had seen many years of active service in the field before he took up his pen to record the events of which he had personal knowledge. He was born in his father’s house at Peralada, near the frontier of Catalonia and Roussillon, and thought he could just remember the great King Jayme having been his father’s guest for one night. But he left his home when only eleven years of a
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CHAPTER VI Tells how the Queen of Aragon went to Sicily with her sons, how Admiral Lauria won new victories, and how more of the Pope’s curses went home to roost
CHAPTER VI Tells how the Queen of Aragon went to Sicily with her sons, how Admiral Lauria won new victories, and how more of the Pope’s curses went home to roost
The connection of Majorca and its Princes with the operations of the Aragonese in Sicily was so intimate that their story would not be clear without some account of the recovery of Manfred’s kingdom for his descendants. We now come to a time when Jayme II. of Majorca was placed in a most difficult and embarrassing dilemma, owing to the position of his Continental possessions between France and Aragon. After his return from the perilous journey to Bordeaux, Pedro III., with the concurrence of the
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CHAPTER VII Tells how young Federigo held Sicily against all odds, how the Catalan Company went to the east, and how Jayme of Majorca was restored to his island home
CHAPTER VII Tells how young Federigo held Sicily against all odds, how the Catalan Company went to the east, and how Jayme of Majorca was restored to his island home
The news of the King’s death was at once sent to Majorca and to Sicily. Alfonso was only in his twenty-second year—an impulsive, quick-tempered youth, intolerant of opposition, but not guilty of the cruelties imputed to him by some writers. He refused to surrender the Balearic Islands to his uncle again, and there was trouble about it during the five years that his reign lasted. He returned at once to Barcelona and went to mourn at his father’s grave in the church of Santa Creus, previous to the
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CHAPTER VIII Tells how King Jayme II. at last reigned in peace, and how his page Raimondo Lulio attained the crown of martyrdom
CHAPTER VIII Tells how King Jayme II. at last reigned in peace, and how his page Raimondo Lulio attained the crown of martyrdom
King Jayme II. of Majorca returned to his island dominions in 1294 with fifteen years of life before him, which he devoted to the restoration of prosperity to Majorca. He was now advanced in years, and was far better fitted for peaceful administration and the work of promoting the good of his people than for steering safely through the entanglements and difficulties caused by the war between his brother and his brother-in-law of France. His wife, Esclaramunda of Foix, was still by his side, and
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CHAPTER IX The career of Prince Fernando of Majorca; and tells how the orphan was taken home to its grandmother
CHAPTER IX The career of Prince Fernando of Majorca; and tells how the orphan was taken home to its grandmother
Fernando, the third son of King Jayme II. of Majorca, was a splendid type of a chivalrous knight, trained to arms from early youth, eager to win renown, but placing honour and his word before all earthly considerations. He was very young when he left his home in Majorca to fight for his gallant cousin, Federigo of Sicily. After the peace with Naples, Fernando still remained with his cousin. Then news came of the murder of Friar Roger de Flor, and of the critical position of the Catalan company a
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CHAPTER X King Sancho of Majorca
CHAPTER X King Sancho of Majorca
Sancho, the second son of Jayme II., succeeded as King of Majorca on June 4, 1311. He was a just and peace-loving sovereign, beloved by his people, always on excellent terms with his cousins of Aragon, and he reigned prosperously for thirteen years. Majorca was a feudatory of Aragon, with the duty of assisting in the wars of the suzerain; and the King was required to attend the Cortes of the Aragonese kingdom to arrange the nature and amount of aid to be contributed to the feudal overlord. As a
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CHAPTER XI King Jayme III. of Majorca
CHAPTER XI King Jayme III. of Majorca
The little child who was brought home with such care and through so many dangers from Catania now succeeded his uncle Sancho as Jayme III., King of Majorca, Count of Roussillon, Conflent, and Cerdaña, Lord of Montpellier, and, in his own right, as the heir of his mother, Lord of Clarencia in the Morea 17 and of Matagrifon. Jayme had a happy childhood, and there was no premonition of the sorrows and calamities of his after-life. His clerical uncle Felipe was accepted as Regent by the Ricos Hombre
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CHAPTER XII Relates the adventures of Jayme and Isabel, describes the memorial chair, and records the end of the Majorcan dynasty
CHAPTER XII Relates the adventures of Jayme and Isabel, describes the memorial chair, and records the end of the Majorcan dynasty
Never did sovereign ascend a throne under such appalling circumstances as did Jayme IV., the last King of Majorca. The young Prince was little more than fifteen years of age, yet he fought by his father’s side and was severely wounded. He was carried to Belver Castle by the side of his father’s corpse. As soon as he was well enough to be moved, he was again taken to Barcelona and thrown into prison, where his uncle, the Ceremonious one, intended him to rot and die. The intercessions of his relat
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CHAPTER XIII Relates the story, so far as it concerns Majorca, of the last Kings of Aragon
CHAPTER XIII Relates the story, so far as it concerns Majorca, of the last Kings of Aragon
The extinction of their reigning dynasty was a great calamity to the people of Majorca, especially during the prolonged life of the Ceremonious one. At last he died in 1387. His sons were very different in all respects. Juan I., surnamed the Huntsman, succeeded as King of Aragon, and he was also the legitimate heir to the Balearic Islands. A pestilence in Catalonia led him to visit Majorca. He and his Queen were in different galleys, and were separated during bad weather. Juan landed at Soller o
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CHAPTER XIV The Majorcans as navigators
CHAPTER XIV The Majorcans as navigators
The intelligence and energy of the Catalans of Barcelona and Majorca, combined with their industry and perseverance, raised the kingdom of Aragon to a very important position as a maritime Power in the Mediterranean. Long the rivals of the Genoese, the Catalans at one time gained complete ascendency. Their fleets dominated the western half of the great inland sea, with Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Malta, and the Balearic Islands either under the sovereignty or in close alliance with the Kings of A
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CHAPTER XV The Comunidades
CHAPTER XV The Comunidades
The rising of the people of Spain against their rulers coincided in point of time with the accession of the Austrian dynasty in the person of Charles V. In the Castilles it was a very noble attempt of the towns, under the leadership of patriots such as Padilla, to preserve the constitutional liberties of the people. It failed, but the best feeling of the country will always look back to it with approval and with pride. The picture of the execution of Padilla now has an honoured place in the hall
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CHAPTER XVI The Majorcan historians—War of succession—Families ennobled—Cotoners—Raxa and Cardinal Despuig—Country houses
CHAPTER XVI The Majorcan historians—War of succession—Families ennobled—Cotoners—Raxa and Cardinal Despuig—Country houses
With the war of the ‘Comunidades’ the romance of Majorcan history ends. During the seventeenth century the country was very slowly recovering from the effects of that disastrous rising; but it was long before the good relations between the different classes of the people were restored. The island was governed under the Kings of the House of Austria by Viceroys, of whom five were natives of Majorca. The names of Moncada, Fuster, Pax, Zaforteza, and Sureda occur in the list. But though the making
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CHAPTER XVII The Marquis of Romana and the patriot Jovellanos.
CHAPTER XVII The Marquis of Romana and the patriot Jovellanos.
The romance of Majorcan history seemed to have come to an end with young Jayme IV. and his sister; but it was renewed in the career of the Marquis of Romana, the most distinguished of later Majorcans. Like many other noble families of the Peninsula, the Caros derive their coat-armour from an incident in the memorable battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. 25 Juan Caro accompanied En Jayme in the conquest of Majorca. His descendants were in the conquest of Almeria, the wars of Flanders, the battle of Los
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CHAPTER XVIII Conclusion
CHAPTER XVIII Conclusion
The story of Majorca has, in the course of its detailed narration, included attempts to describe the scenery of various localities of the island, the capital in ancient times, the mountains and caves, the towns and country houses. With the conclusion of the story we turn to the island as it is at present. We find areas of forest-covered mountains, which are calculated to contain 25,000 acres of pines, 12,000 acres of ilex, and 2,000 of carob-trees; at least, this was the calculation twenty years
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CHAPTER I Minorca—Its prehistoric remains—Mago the Carthaginian—Successive occupations
CHAPTER I Minorca—Its prehistoric remains—Mago the Carthaginian—Successive occupations
The sister island of Minorca is some twenty miles E.N.E. of Majorca, and is about the size of the Isle of Wight, twenty-one miles in length by eight broad. But its smaller size and more exposed situation deprive it of advantages enjoyed by its more favoured sister. Minorca is in the shape of an irregular parallelogram, lying W.N.W. to E.S.E., and has an area of 683 square kilometres. The island is divided into two distinct regions of almost equal extent by a line running east and west. The north
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CHAPTER II Conquest of Minorca by Alfonso III.—The Barbary pirates
CHAPTER II Conquest of Minorca by Alfonso III.—The Barbary pirates
The young King Alfonso III. of Aragon, having usurped the government of Majorca, as has been related in the story of that island, 33 came to a sudden determination to drive the Moors out of Minorca. He made a pretext that the Almojarife had thwarted his father’s designs on the coast of Barbary by giving early information to his co-religionists. Alfonso also said that when his uncle’s dominions were restored to him, the acquisition of Minorca would make up for the temporary deprivation. This hope
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CHAPTER III British occupation of Minorca.
CHAPTER III British occupation of Minorca.
The people of Spain had long been misgoverned, impoverished, and oppressed when the last king of the House of Austria died and left the War of Succession as a legacy to his subjects. The descendant of Maria Teresa, sister of Charles II. and wife of Louis XIV. of France, would have had the best right if her marriage had not been allowed on condition of the most solemn renunciation of the crown of Spain for the offspring of it. The next heir was the Emperor Leopold I., descended from a sister of P
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CHAPTER IV Minorca as a base
CHAPTER IV Minorca as a base
Minorca was the chief gainer by the Peace of Utrecht. She secured many years of good government and freedom from oppression by her connection with her English friends. But England herself derived almost equal advantage. She had become a Mediterranean Power. She had Gibraltar, but it was necessary that she should also have a base within the inland sea where her ships could refit and her sailors could be refreshed; and this need was supplied in full measure by the splendid harbour of Port Mahon. T
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CHAPTER V Minorca under British rule
CHAPTER V Minorca under British rule
If the occupation of Minorca was very important to the British as a base for their fleet, it was an even greater blessing to the inhabitants. While the ancient rights and liberties of the Catalans and Majorcans were ruthlessly destroyed by their Bourbon conqueror, the Minorcans were treated very differently. Their religion, their form of civil government, their customs and traditions were all respected by the English, who came as friends rather than as masters. It will be interesting to glance o
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CHAPTER VI Minorca twice lost
CHAPTER VI Minorca twice lost
The Seven Years’ War commenced in March 1756, and the first enterprise of the French was designed against Minorca. The preparations at Toulon were, however, concealed from a dull and apathetic English Ministry by pretended activity in the ports of the Channel, to instil a belief that an invasion of England was intended. Newcastle was Prime Minister, Anson at the Admiralty, and Henry Fox Secretary of State. Pitt did not take office until the following year. The English Ministers were completely d
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CHAPTER VII The third occupation of Minorca—Loss of British rule
CHAPTER VII The third occupation of Minorca—Loss of British rule
When the War of the French Revolution broke out England had no base within the Mediterranean. The necessity for such a base was very much increased when Napoleon got possession of Malta. Lord St. Vincent had taken the command of the Mediterranean station in December 1795; on February 14, 1797, he fought the great battle which gave him his title, and afterwards kept up the blockade of Cadiz. He knew that Napoleon was meditating the Egyptian expedition, and detached Nelson with thirteen sail of th
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THE WORKS OF Elizabeth Barrett Browning and of Robert Browning.
THE WORKS OF Elizabeth Barrett Browning and of Robert Browning.
THE POEMS of ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING. New and Cheaper Edition. Complete in 1 volume, with Portrait and Facsimile of the MS. of ‘A Sonnet from the Portuguese.’ Large crown 8vo. bound in cloth, gilt top, 3 s. 6 d. THE POETICAL WORKS of ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING. Uniform Edition. Six Volumes in set binding, small crown 8vo. 5 s. each. MRS. BROWNING’S WORKS. In Three Pocket Volumes. Printed upon India paper, with a Portrait Frontispiece to each volume. Fcp. 8vo. 2 s. 6 d. each net in limp cloth,
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WORKS BY ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON.
WORKS BY ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON.
Second Impression. Large post 8vo. 7 s. 6 d. net. The Altar Fire. WORLD. —‘In conception and in execution this study of a high-souled but inveterate egoist, converted to humility and altruism by the discipline of suffering, is an achievement of rare power, pathos, and beauty, and, so far, incomparably the finest thing that its author has given us.’ DAILY CHRONICLE. —‘Once more Mr. Benson has put forth one of his appealing and eloquent studies in human motive; and once more he has succeeded with
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VOLUMES PREVIOUSLY ISSUED.
VOLUMES PREVIOUSLY ISSUED.
THE CRUISE OF THE ‘CACHALOT.’ By Frank T. Bullen . With 8 Full-page Illustrations and a Chart. TIMES. —‘A book which cannot but fascinate all lovers of the sea.’ THE WHITE COMPANY. By A. Conan Doyle . With 8 Full-page Illustrations. SPEAKER. —‘A notable and very brilliant work of genius.’ RODNEY STONE. By A. Conan Doyle . With 8 Full-page Illustrations. PUNCH. —‘There is not a dull page in it from first to last. All is light, colour, movement, blended and inspired by a master hand.’ THE LOG OF A
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