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 at Gallipoli, which place they had held for several
years, making occasional raids into Roumania. The King of Sicily
proposed to his cousin Fernando that he should assume command of the
company in the name of Federigo as over-lord. Fernando accepted the
charge. He arrived at Gallipoli with four galleys, and announced that
he came only as lieutenant and representative of the King of Sicily.
Ramon Muntaner, our worthy chronicler, who was in charge at Gallipoli,
received the young Prince in the capacity announced in the diplomas he
brought from King Federigo as chief and commander of the company. En
Rocafort, with the greater part of the forces, was besieging a town
called Nona, sixty miles from Gallipoli, and he requested the Prince to
join him. The other two chiefs of the company, En Berenguer de Entenza
and En Ferrar Ximenes, remained at Gallipoli; but the Prince, with
Muntaner, proceeded to Nona, where he was received with great honour.
Rocafort was at enmity with Entenza and Ximenes, and secretly wished
to get rid of the Prince so as to have sole command of the company.
He therefore intrigued with all the chiefs and officers, persuading
them to accept the Prince as their lord, but not as a representative
of the King of Sicily. They all agreed, and Rocafort knew what the
Prince’s answer, as a man of honour, must necessarily be. When the
Prince announced his decision, he was entreated to remain until they
reached Salonica, to which place the company intended to march, it
being represented to him that he might compose the differences between
Rocafort and the other leaders. The Prince consented to remain with
them for a short time with that object.
Gallipoli was to be abandoned, and the duty of destroying the castle
there and bringing away the wives and children of the company was
entrusted to Muntaner. He did this, and brought the people to
Cristopol, at the entrance of the Salonica territory, in thirty-six
vessels, consisting of galleys, armed _leños_, and armed boats.
The whole company, including Entenza and Ximenes with their troops,
then began their march to Salonica. On the second day there was an
affray in which Entenza was killed, Rocafort pretending that his men
mistook Entenza’s men for enemies. Ximenes fled. The Prince, who now
saw through the designs of Rocafort, was in a very difficult position,
when his four galleys most opportunely arrived at the part of the coast
where the company was encamped. A council was called, and the Prince
told Rocafort and his party plainly that if they would not receive him
as vicegerent of the King of Sicily, he would leave them. Rocafort
induced the leaders to declare that they would receive him only as
their lord, independent of any one else. Prince Fernando therefore
embarked and went with his four galleys to the island of Thasos.
Rocafort’s ambition led to his ruin, for his own people became tired
of his tyranny and greed. He wanted to make himself King of Salonica,
but there was a mutiny; he was delivered over to the commander of some
Venetian galleys and taken to Naples with his brother. The Venetians
gave him up to King Robert of Naples, who put him and his brother into
a dungeon in the castle of Aversa, where they were left to die of
starvation. The company took service under the French Duke of Athens.
Thasos is by far the most beautiful island in the Archipelago. It has
pleasant meads, wooded glens, and picturesque mountain scenery. There
are many remains of ancient Greece, and on a green hill rise the ruins
of a fine old castle built by the Genoese. In this delightful retreat
Prince Fernando rested for a few days after the troubles and anxieties
caused by his brief connection with the company. He was joined by Ramon
Muntaner with his followers, who was devoted to the House of Aragon.
In returning to Sicily they were attacked off Negropont by a superior
force of Venetians, and the Prince was taken prisoner. He was
delivered over to King Robert of Naples, who kept him in captivity
until, through the intervention of the King of France, he was allowed
to return to his home in Majorca.
The next enterprise in which Prince Fernando was engaged was against
the Moors of Granada. The King of Aragon agreed with Fernando IV.
(‘the Summoned’[15]) of Castille to carry on this war from two
different directions. One was to attack Almeria, while the other
besieged Algesiras, and there was a promise that neither should retire
without the consent of the other. The object was to divide the Moslem
forces. The Prince of Majorca went with his cousin of Aragon to the
siege of Almeria. This seaport town, very beautifully situated at the
entrance of a fertile valley backed by mountains, was a place of great
commercial importance in the days of the Beni Omeyya Khâlifas, and here
they had their naval dockyard. Almeria continued to flourish under the
Kings of Granada, and at one time it had kings of its own. The siege
lasted for nine months, and the Aragonese brought with them all the
artillery of the day to batter the walls. Prince Fernando was well
fitted out by his father. He had under his command a hundred Majorcan
knights, many foot soldiers, with galleys and _leños_ to convey the
horses, provisions, and artillery. During the siege Fernando proved
himself to be a good knight by his valorous deeds--‘One of the best
knights in the world,’ Muntaner says. Among other combats, he had three
hand-to-hand fights with Moorish warriors, and won the palm of a good
knight in each encounter, in sight of both armies.
Fernando IV. (the Summoned One) broke his word, raised the siege of
Algesiras, and retreated. This liberated a large Moorish force, which
was at once sent to Almeria. It was done without informing the King of
Aragon, who suddenly found himself confronted by the whole power of
Granada. On the eve of St. Bartholomew a great Moorish army suddenly
attacked the besiegers. The King of Aragon was surprised, but not
dismayed. He ordered Prince Fernando to remain near the town with
his contingent, at a place called the ‘Esperonte’[16] of Almeria, to
attack and drive back the besieged, if they sallied out to fall upon
the Aragonese rear while they were engaged with the Moorish army in
front. This was a most honourable post, and Fernando held it gallantly.
The ‘Esperonte’ faced the seashore. While the battle was raging a son
of the Moorish King of Guadix sallied forth at the head of a large
force with loud shouts and war-cries. Fernando was well prepared. His
men were formed to resist attack. The Moor was one of the most famous
warriors of Granada. He was well in front, scimitar in hand, shouting,
‘Ani ibn es-Sultan.’ ‘What does he say?’ asked Fernando. ‘He says that
he is the King’s son,’ replied the interpreter. ‘If he is a King’s son,
so am I,’ answered the Prince; and, putting spurs to his horse, he
attacked the Moor. Before he could reach him he had killed six of the
enemy with his own hand, breaking his lance on the sixth. He then drew
his sword and closed with the Moorish King’s son. The Moor struck such
a wonderful blow that he cut off a quarter of the Prince’s shield, and
again shouted ‘Ani ibn es-Sultan.’ But the Prince delivered such a blow
that he cut open the Moor’s head down to his teeth, and he fell dead.
His followers were routed, and few escaped back into the town.
Meanwhile the great Moorish army was entirely defeated. The King of
Aragon returned victorious to his tent, to hear of the great service
performed by his cousin and of his deeds of derring-do, equalling,
says Muntaner, those of the famous Roland. The King then raised the
siege and returned to Barcelona for three reasons. The winter was
approaching, the Castillian King had broken faith, and he of Aragon had
gained a greater success by the liberation of many Christian captives
which he made a condition of his truce, than if he had taken Almeria.
Prince Fernando joined his father and mother at Perpignan, who rejoiced
at his safe return.
En Fernando remained at home until he heard that Robert of Naples, who
had married his sister Sancha, was making war on the King of Sicily.
Ever true to his cousin En Federigo, the young Prince assembled his
knightly followers, and, with a good contingent of Majorcans, he
joined his cousin of Sicily. En Federigo was delighted to see him, for
they had not met since En Fernando set out to join the company. The
King granted the Majorcan prince the city of Catania for his life,
and two thousand _onzas_ a year from his treasury. The cousins lived
very happily together until King Robert of Naples landed an army at
Palermo and besieged Trapani. Prince Fernando was sent to occupy Mount
St. Julian, where once stood the famous temple of Venus, whence his
_almogavares_ gave a very bad time to the besieging host. The King
of Sicily fitted out a large fleet of galleys to prevent any escape,
and then joined Prince Fernando on Mount St. Julian, to attack the
besiegers with a superior force. At this critical juncture the Dowager
Queen of Naples, sister of Jayme II. of Aragon, intervened, and a truce
was arranged, Robert of Naples surrendering all he had gained and
evacuating Sicily.
During the rest of his life Prince Fernando was connected with the
affairs of Greece. Long before, the Duke of Burgundy and the Comte
de la Marche, grandsons of the King of France, had invaded the
Morea, driven out the Grecian rulers, founded the city of Patras,
and established the French dukedom of Athens and principality of the
Morea. The Catalan company finally put an end to the Athens dukedom by
killing the Comte de Brienne and all his nobles. In the Morea, Louis,
the fifth in descent from the Duke of Burgundy, died without male
heirs, but left two daughters. One inherited the Morea, and the other
the Barony of Matagrifon. One was married to Felipe, a younger son of
Charles of Anjou, and the other to his friend the Count of Andria.
Felipe was recognised as Prince of the Morea, and his friend as Baron
of Matagrifon. Philip died childless, and his widow married a Comte de
Nevers. The Count of Andria died, leaving a daughter Isabel, who was
unjustly deprived of her inheritance. Her mother thought that there was
no knight in Christendom who would be more likely to take up the cause
of an injured and dispossessed princess than En Fernando of Majorca.
The mother, with her beautiful daughter, came to Messina, where they
were hospitably received by the King of Sicily. Muntaner says that
Isabel was the fairest, the rosiest, the most discreet maiden he had
ever seen. The marriage of En Fernando with the fair Isabel of Andria
took place at Messina, and, after several days of festivity, the Prince
took his bride to Catania. Muntaner was then in command of the island
of Gerbes, on the African coast, but he at once complied with a request
that he should join En Fernando. He arrived at Catania a few days
before the Princess gave birth to a fine boy. He brought with him great
store of wedding presents, consisting of richly embroidered dresses,
slippers of finely dressed leather, cloth of various colours, and
jewels. He spread them all out before the Prince and Princess, to their
great delight. The birthday was on the first Saturday in April 1315.
The child received the name of Jayme in the cathedral of St. Agatha at
Catania.
There was a melancholy termination to the bright prospect which seemed
to open before the young married pair. En Fernando had no sooner
completed his preparations to sail for the Morea with a well-equipped
force and recover his wife’s dominions, than Isabel was seized with
a fever and died a month after the birth of her child. She died
in her husband’s arms, who was thus plunged in grief and was long
inconsolable. He buried his bride under a monument near the tomb of St.
Agatha.
In sorrow the bereaved Prince commenced his campaign. He was joined at
Messina by the faithful Ramon Muntaner, whose guidance as a chronicler
we are soon to lose. He had been governor of the Isle of Gerbes for
seven years, but resigned that important appointment to share the
fortunes of his beloved Prince. En Fernando told Muntaner that he owed
more to him than to any other man on earth; but that he was now going
to ask him the greatest favour of all. The little child at Catania
was most in need of a valiant defender. The Prince entreated Muntaner
to give up the campaign in the Morea and to convey his motherless boy
safely to its grandmother at Perpignan. He would have letters to her,
to the King of Majorca, and to the Prince’s procurator, En Berenguer
Despuig, and he would be supplied with well-fitted galleys for the
voyage. With a heavy heart Muntaner undertook the charge, and took
leave of the Prince who had won his devoted affection.
Prince Fernando then made sail for the Morea with a strong force of
cavalry and of _almogavares_. He landed near Clarencia, a small seaport
on the coast, south-west of Patras, and, after a feeble resistance,
captured the town. The people swore allegiance to him, for Clarencia
was part of his wife’s inheritance. He then proceeded with the conquest
of the rest of the Morea, and when he seemed well established he
sent envoys to the King of Cyprus, asking for the hand of his niece
Isabella. The marriage took place at Clarencia, and there was a son,
named Fernando, born after his father’s death.
Louis of Burgundy, who had married Mahault of Hainault, Princess of
Achaia, set out to dispute the possession of the Morea with Prince
Fernando in 1315. Landing at Patras, he advanced towards Clarencia, and
Fernando came out to meet him. There was a battle at a place called
Esfero on July 7, 1316, when the gallant young Prince was slain. He
had sent for reinforcements, but his impetuosity prevented him from
waiting for them. Muntaner received the sad news in Majorca, and
declared that this was the greatest loss the House of Aragon had ever
sustained. ‘For,’ he added, ‘this was the best and most valiant knight
to be found among the sons of kings in that age, the most just, and
the one who best knew how to order his actions.’ The body was conveyed
to Perpignan, and arrived just after his mother’s death. The widow
returned to Cyprus, where her child was born.
But we must return to the orphan boy at Catania. Having selected a
galley of Barcelona for the voyage, Muntaner chose an excellent person
as head nurse, a native of the Ampurdan, named Na Ines de Adri, who
was experienced in nursing, having had twenty-two children herself.
He also engaged a very robust young woman of Catania as wet-nurse, and
several maids. These particulars are mentioned to show with what care
the old soldier entered upon his new duties. He took with him attested
proofs signed by those who were present at the birth and baptism. On
the day appointed for sailing Muntaner left the city with the infant
in his arms, followed by more than two thousand people. As he was
embarking, a messenger arrived from King Federigo with two dresses of
cloth of gold as a present to his little cousin. On August 1, 1315,
Muntaner made sail from Catania. On arriving at Trapani he received
tidings that four galleys were waiting for him, to seize the infant
and thus dispose of the heir to Clarencia and Matagrifon. Muntaner
therefore took more armed men on board and waited to join a fleet of
twenty-four Catalan vessels. He then put to sea. After a few days a
storm raged so furiously that seven ships sank and the rest were in
great danger. At length he let go his anchor in the port of Salou.
The child had never been out of his arms during the whole time that
the storm lasted, either by night or day, the nurse being dreadfully
seasick; nor could any of the other women stand on their legs.
En Pedro de Rocaberti, the Archbishop of Tarragona, sent good horses to
Salou, and the party went by easy stages to Barcelona, where the King
of Aragon received them with much hospitality, kissing and blessing the
little child. Muntaner caused a litter to be made at Barcelona for the
nurse and child, which was borne on the shoulders of twenty men; and so
by very easy stages they reached Perpignan in twenty-four days. They
proceeded to the castle, where the Queens of Majorca then resided. When
they reached the gates Muntaner took the child in his own arms and with
great joy brought it into the presence of its grandmother, who, with
its aunt-in-law, the reigning Queen, was seated to receive it. ‘God,’
he exclaims, ‘does not give a greater joy than that which my lady the
Queen, its grandmother, then felt on seeing the child so well nurtured,
with its face wreathed with smiles, and its body wrapped in cloth of
gold.’ Muntaner knelt and kissed the hands of the two Queens, making
the child do the same. He declared that this was the infant Jayme, son
of the Prince En Fernando and of Isabel his wife. Its grandmother
then took it in her arms and kissed it many times. Soon afterwards
the King of Majorca, who had been in France, arrived at Perpignan,
and very joyfully received his nephew, making all the usual rules and
regulations for his being brought up as if he was his own son.
It must have been a great relief to En Ramon Muntaner to have performed
this last and most responsible duty for his beloved Prince. He had been
recruiting for him in Valencia and was in Majorca, preparing to join
him, when the sad news of his death arrived. The kind old grandmother,
En Fernando’s mother, Esclaramunda de Foix, died in the sane year.
Alas! the good Muntaner had preserved a life destined in the years to
come to more than the usual share of sorrow, misfortune, and disaster.
The child became the unhappy Jayme III., last reigning King of Majorca,
Count of Roussillon, Cerdaña, and Conflent, and Lord of Montpellier. He
was also Lord of Clarencia in the Morea and of Matagrifon.
Besides little Jayme, Prince Fernando had three illegitimate sons,
named Fernando, Pagano, and Sancho. They came to Majorca, and were ever
the loyal and devoted brothers and friends of their young master Jayme,
in prosperity and in adversity.