The Rise of the Crown of Aragon: From Counts to Kings
Count Borrell II (Grandson of Wilfred I)
In the late 10th century, the warrior Al-Mansur of Al-Andalus organized annual spring raids on the northern Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. In 988, he besieged Barcelona. Count Borrell II sent messengers to the King of France, Hugh Capet, requesting aid as his vassals. However, Hugh Capet did not send help, and Barcelona fell to Al-Mansur, who sacked the city. Undeterred, Count Borrell rebuilt Barcelona and sent messengers to Hugh Capet, declaring, “A king who does not provide for his subjects does not deserve them.” This marked the breaking of vassalage ties and a proclamation of independence. The King of France remained silent in response.
Wilfred I, Count of Barcelona
In the 9th century, Catalonia was a Hispanic march, part of the Frankish Empire under the Carolingian kings who had defeated the Arabs in France. Count Wilfred I decided to peacefully unite all the Catalan counties under his authority. He initiated the repopulation of Barcelona, ensuring its activity, defense, and trade. He also repopulated mountainous areas and established monasteries like Ripoll, Sant Joan de les Abadesses, and Montserrat, promoting the Benedictine order, religion, and culture. Wilfred I started the House of Barcelona dynasty, which lasted for five centuries and brought glory to Catalonia. He also contributed to the creation of the Catalan flag when he defended Charles the Bald from Viking attacks. Wounded in battle, he received a flag from Charles as gratitude, who dipped his fingers in Wilfred’s wound and marked them on a golden shield.
Ramon Berenguer III
The 11th century in Europe was characterized by feudalism. Nobles were eager to fight amongst themselves, and borders remained largely unchanged. However, Ramon Berenguer III and his successors expanded their territories through shrewd diplomacy and strategic marriages. The Counts of Barcelona were tolerant rulers who prioritized the well-being of their subjects. During this time, the poetry of the troubadours emerged in Provence and spread to Catalonia, fostering cultural exchange, communication, and commerce. Ramon Berenguer III personally led the repopulation efforts below the Llobregat River and conquered Tarragona and Balaguer.
Ramon Berenguer IV
Ramon Berenguer IV’s reign was marked by significant achievements:
- Union of Catalonia and Aragon: He created the Crown of Aragon through his marriage to Petronila of Aragon.
- Expansion Southward: He extended Catalonia’s domains southward to the Ebro River, conquering territories from the Moors, including Lleida and Tortosa.
- Repopulation and Monasteries: To secure newly conquered lands and prevent them from falling back into Muslim hands, he established the monasteries of Poblet, Santes Creus, and Vallbona de les Monges, belonging to the Cistercian order.
The Catalan-Aragonese Union
King Alfonso I of Aragon, a great conqueror, died without children. He appointed his brother Ramiro II the Monk as his successor. Ramiro married Agnes of Poitiers and had a daughter, Petronila. To ensure the kingdom’s continuity, Petronila was betrothed to Ramon Berenguer IV at a young age. This marriage united the Catalan and Aragonese realms, and the Counts of Barcelona adopted the title of Kings.
Peter II the Catholic, King of Catalonia and Aragon
Between 1212 and 1214, four crucial battles reshaped the European map. In 1212, the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa saw the Christian forces of the northern Iberian Peninsula defeat the Almohads.
James I the Conqueror
Despite being betrothed to Simon de Montfort at the age of three, Pope Innocent III placed James I in a Templar monastery in Aragon. He later escaped with the help of his cousin, William of Toulouse. In Barcelona, his uncle Sancho acted as regent but faced challenges from nobles seeking to regain power. James I assumed power from his uncle and demonstrated exceptional negotiation skills and political acumen. He established a system of government for the Crown, known as the pacts, where Catalonia and Aragon retained their own governing bodies, cultures, traditions, and languages. Both kingdoms were united under the monarch’s authority. The pacts also granted cities self-governance through their own bodies, while requiring them to seek royal assistance for foreign campaigns (conquests).
In 1229, James I met with nobles at the monastery of Santes Creus and planned the conquest of Mallorca, a Taifa kingdom. The fleet encountered a storm near Salou, and James I prayed to the Virgin Mary for salvation. They were saved, and he dedicated the Cathedral of Palma to her. The siege of Palma lasted three months, with the King of Mallorca, Abu Yahya, resisting in the Almudaina Palace. After the conquest, the island was repopulated with Catalans, and Muslims were allowed to remain if they converted to Christianity. The Arabs had established a sophisticated irrigation system on the island.
In 1236, James I began the conquest of the Kingdom of Valencia, a prosperous agricultural region. He allowed Muslims who converted to Christianity to remain. After the conquest, the city faced harassment (the “ratpenat” incident). Valencia was populated by Catalans along the coast and Aragonese inland, leading to the prevalence of Spanish in the interior. The significant Muslim population, even after conversion, ensured continued agricultural prosperity and boosted trade for the Crown. The Kingdom of Valencia also had its own courts and, under the pacts, could make its own decisions while respecting the King’s authority.
In his will, James I divided his realms: Aragon, Catalonia, and Valencia to his son Peter III the Great, and the Balearic Islands, Roussillon, and Sardinia to James II of Mallorca.