Catch of Sardinia by the Catalans

As of the year 1200, and during the decades which follow, of the intrigues, the conspiracies and the fomented local revolts, either by Genoa, or by Pisa, upset the landscape of the Sardinia. But the accomplices of yesterday become soon the enemies of the day. The August 6th 1284, it is the naval battle of Meloria; the fleet of Genoa ordered by Oberto Doria overrides that of Pisa to the orders of Alberto Morosini. The overcome commander will finish his days in the prisons of Pisa where him the defeat was not forgiven. Always it is that this date marks the decline of Pisa on Sardinia. The City-Republic preserves from now on only one small portion at the south of Sardinia. At all events, Genoa and Pisa continue to monopolize the economic activities and policies of the island. Despite everything, some Sardinian cities benefit from their statute of free communes: Viladesglésies (Iglesias), Cagliari, Sassari, Castelgenovese (Castelsardo). The influence of the two Republics is thus considerable in Sardinia.

In 1285, after the conquest of the Sicily by the Catalans and after the disastrous crusade of king de Catalan Ground France, neither the pope, neither the king of France, nor the king of Naples accept Catalan Sicily; in 1295, by the Treated of Anagni, supervised by the pope Boniface VIII, the Catalans give up the capacity which they have in Sicily; in exchange, the pope grants Sardinia and the Corsica to them. However, the Sicilians refused the treaty of Anagni, and the war began again. If it should be conquered, will know that Sardinia is a large piece with 24.000 km ²; it is slightly smaller than Sicily which counts 25.000 km ², Catalunya having, approximately, 32.000 km ²; for the whole of the crown, it is advisable to add, of course, the Aragon and the Royaume of Valencia.

Quickly, the options emerge. Genoa and Pisa reject the deed of gift openly signed by the pope and the two Republics carry out the dance; they gather some Sardinian families. In the Catalan camp, one includes/understands whereas an military operation will have to be launched. Previously, with Barcelona, the king Jaume II of Catalunya-Aragó (Jacques II of Aragon Catalonia) must regulate all kinds of problems, and in particular, secure a solid and lasting peace with his neighbors: the kingdom of Castille, the kingdom of France (with the noble ones of Languedoc), the Moslem kingdom of Grenade, the sultan of Tunis, kinglets of North Africa. Lastly, for Jaume II, the moment came; it is time to bring together its advisers, to give a description of the situation and to prepare an action plan. Some events will show that the Sardinians await the Catalans like liberators.

Initially, there is a letter

We know the letter that brother Frederic de Fulgenci addresses to the king Jaume II of Catalunya-Aragó. He explains how the Sardinians stolen and are despoiled by Visconti, Donaratico, Doria, the big families of the Republics of Genoa and Pisa; the richnesses of the island are controlled: mines of money, salt, corn, coral, olives, oil, etc; exports also escape the Sardinians. The author of the letter is persuaded that the island became a colony of exploitation! He affirms that each one has the eyes turned towards the country Catalan, Jaume II, only able thanks to its power, to leave the Sardinians this deplorable situation. The fear prevents the noble ones and the middle-class men to revolt. Thus, in Cagliari, an inhabitant who dared to exclaim “does not displease with the devil which the Catalans come! ” is stopped by Pisans; its head is planted on a spade and makes it tower of the city!

Then, there is a secret engagement

If one wants to include/understand well the events which will follow, it is advisable to go up time. In the year 1157, Barisó I°, Judge of Arborea, marry Agalbursa de Cervera; it belongs to the one of the most powerful families of the Catalan nobility; from now on, the Catalans have a “foot in the island”. In 1192, with the support of young Catalan king Alfons I°, one signs the compromise of Oristany; the rights of heritage of the Catalan line are recognized officially; thus in 1192, the new judge, Hug I° d' Arborea, are also called Hug Ponç de Cervera; then, always Arborea, Pere II, Marià II succeed to him (which, in 1284, sign an alliance with Pierre II el Gran); we arrive thus at Hug II, Juge of Arborea between 1321 and 1335, which will play a determining role; the only Judge, in fact, independent of Genoa and Pisa.

Jaume II of Catalunya-Aragó dispatches Vidal de Vilanova, its effective and discrete negotiator; it meets Hug II in 1322. Here is its message: “if you support the Catalan camp, the king Jaume II promises to you, as of the acquired victory, of the advantages and the privileges. ” Let us specify that the secrecy was well kept, because the Republics of Genoa and Pisa, however on the spot in the island, are persuaded that Hug II remains their ally.

Catalan side, the international situation was cleared up; the moment had just envisaged military forwarding. In 1321, the king Jaume II of Catalunya-Aragó convenes Corts Catalanes with Gérone. In his opening speech, vis-a-vis the deputies, the king exposes the project. After listen tohaving listened to it attentively, Sanç I° king de Mallorca (Sanche I° sovereign of the Royaume of Majorque) which attends Corts, speaks: he announces that he offers twenty galères armed to his expenses, two hundred men with horse, of the pedestrians and that for four months, plus a loan of 25.000 books. It should be said that Sanç was perfectly with the current of the company; its ambassador Guillem de Saguàrdia, baron de Canet in Roussillon, had prepared well the discussions with Jaume II in Barcelona. Also, when Corts are convened, Sanç I° knows already what it acts; moreover, following this business, the king rewards Guillem: the baronnie, becomes a Viscount, thus climbing a level; Guillem III of Saguàrdia is thus the first Viscount of Canet.

Documented always well, the chronicler Ramon Muntaner tells the continuation of the debates: “After this offer of the lord king de Majorque, all the rich person men, all the cities, all the bishops, archbishops, abbots, priors, also offered to help Jaume II; and thus the helps that the lord king found in Catalonia were so considerable that it is wonder. It also came in Aragó where similar offers were made to him; then, in the kingdom of Valencia where one did as much so much of it”. In short, Barcelona, Valencia and Aragó follow the dash and give the same quotas.

And the “Catalan hives” are put at work. King Sanç de Mallorca launches the construction or the installation of galères and boats in Palma and Collioure; he organizes the cavalry and the other troops; he opens offices of recruitment for the volunteers by stating, that at once the built galères, the men will be held for enlisted and will then be remunerated.

Lastly, the great day arrives. The fleet of Sanç de Mallorca fine ready, is ordered by Hug Totzó of Roussillon, it is concentrated in Maó, the port of Menorca. That of Valencia and that of Barcelona dropped anchor with the port of Fangòs, the famous port of Tortosa, located on the Ebre river. In this May 31st, 1323, the immense fleet of war and transport is gathered; it is so important, that no country can equalize it. One awaits nothing any more but the signal of the departure to hoist the veils. The king Jaume II entrusted the reins of forwarding to his son, the primogènit Alfons (the Alphonse oldest son), then twenty-four years old, the king approaches him and pronounces these clear and strong words, from now on historical: “Wire, OJ custom C will bandage it will nostra, antiga, del Principat de Catalunya, qual ha a singular privilegi… that no time, in camp one will nostra it will bandage reial sia estada, James No fo vençuda nor desbaratada”. (“Wire, I give you our old banner of the principat of Catalunya which has a singular privilege that it is necessary that you preserve to him. It is without spot no and sealed with a gold bubble; never in closed field, it neither was overcome nor put in rout and that by the particular grace of God and the great fidelity of our subjects… ”). And between advice and recommendations, the king stimulates his son so that it acts like a valorous knight: “Wire, COM serets in the batalla, ferits to precede E poderosa esforçadament; O to morir O vençre, O vençre O to morir, O to morir O vençre”.

And Alfons, accompanied by his faithful wife Teresa d' Entença, leaves the Catalan ground on a boat which leads it on the “Coke”, “Sancta Eulàlia”, pertaining to Bernat and Arnau Ballester, citizens of Barcelona. Lastly, the admiral Francesc Carròs gives the departure. The spectacle is imposing; imagine these two hundred and fifty boats, all inflated sails, to move away slowly and disappear at the horizon. The king and the queen remain on the strike until the moment when at the horizon the last sails disappear: “rei I reina estegren aquell dia with the marina reflecting-los entró los hagren perduts of Vista”.

The adventure is moving. But an unfavourable tramontana obliges them to remain five days with the port of Maó, on the island of Menorca. The men are the guests of king Sanç. It is there that the first good news coming from Sardinia arrives; it is learned that Sardinian troops, under the orders of Judge Hug II of Arborea, and the first Catalan reinforcements of the three arrived ships at the end of May, ordered by the Viscounts Guerau and Dalmau Rocabertí, prepared the arrival on the island; they already posed the seat with the foot of the castle of Cagliari and the city of Esglésies. It is realized that the diplomatic work undertaken skilfully by the Catalans bore its fruits. And it is a second departure, this time of Maó; the vessels of the kingdom of Mallorca unite with the squadron and the fleet is complete, course on Sardinia: 300 various vessels (63 galères and of the boats of transport), 15.000 men (infantry and almogavares), and 3.000 riders of the crown. Thus on June 14th, 1323, Alfons and its armies pose the foot in the south of Sardinia. Little time after, on the beach of the gulf of Palmas, a great number of noble and lords of Sardinia lends oath of fidelity to him.

Then the young person Alfons, his advisers, and some Sardinian soldiers take stock. Which is the situation? The castle of Cagliari is with the hands of Pisans; it is able to resist a long seat; on the sea, the fleet pisane threat also Catalan navy. Here thus the plan which is decided. The Catalan terrestrial army is divided in two parts; the large one of the troops moves towards Esglésies, to establish the seat already started by Hug II of Arborea and Rocabertí; one unloads, in spare parts, the engines of wars (catapults and others) and one goes up them vis-a-vis the fortifications; the other part of the troops goes in Cagliari to encircle the castle; during this time, the fleet of the admiral Carròs supervises the sea. The head office of Esglésies is not easy. The first attack of the city is launched the 1e July 1323, but the hardness of the fight and the diseases decrease the Catalan forces! It is included/understood whereas the seat is likely to be prolonged. Finally, the city capitulates on February 7th, 1324.

During this time, Ramon de Sentmenat seized the area of north, area of Gallura. Obviously, with the catch of Esglésies, the Catalan troops find moral steel. Alfons moves now towards Cagliari (Càller). The unhealthy marshes cause diseases, weaken the troops and even affect the lady's companions of the Teresa wife; Alfons itself is suffering! Then, one decides to install the camping on a height; then, an enclosing wall is built; it is that they will be the foundations of the future town of Bonaire, (good air), with its church and its castle; thus, the armies are with the shelter of the marshes. The seat continues and of new reinforcements arrive: eighteen galères light, fast, handy, like had advised it tested the Ramon Muntaner.

On its side, Pisa does not give up the part. It sends, it also, a powerful fleet ordered by the count de Donartico: 40 galères and 6.000 men of Pisa and the German mercenaries. The test is announced lasts as well on ground as on sea. Face to face takes on February 29th, 1324, in a place says Lucocisterna, near to Càller. Alfons is with the head of 500 riders and 2.000 almogavares; Pisa has 1.200 riders and 2.000 principal rafters. It is the litmus test. If the Catalan and Aragonese armies come to end from Pisans… Sardinia is gained! And the Alfons young person is in the middle of the combat. Always upright, the Catalan standard with the four bars is carried by the knight Joan Fernández d' Urrea; the enemy precipitates on him, touches the horse and the Catalan banner falls to ground, it is seized at once by a rider pisan which shows with all its trophy! Then, holding to with it more, the Alfons young person precipitates on the enemy, his horse is killed, it rolls to ground, his men raise it in the middle of a fray where the blows of sword, lances, shields in a dazing din rain; at once, its adviser Joan de Boixadors gives him his horse and, one moment isolated in the middle of the enemies, Alfons recovers the Catalan standard.

Here what writes the diplomat Guillem d' Olomar in a very interesting letter addressed to the king Jaume II, remained with Barcelona! According to Guillem, Alfons is able to carry the royal crown; he adds that the Alfons young person is now an accomplished man: “Strong Hom acabat E that in aquest viatge are estret E fet hom has that' ls afers fan hom”. The letter mentions that the victory was possible thanks to the exploit of Guillem d' Anglesola sent in avant-garde. Let us specify that Guillem d' Olomar, although royal diplomat, arrived to Sardinia at the head of 200 principal rafters, 500 soldiers with foot, 500 oarsmen. Pisans, put in escape, embark in disorder, but, a great number drowns in the marshes which surround the battle field; the count de Donartico, the chief of forwarding, though wounded, manages with 500 soldiers to take refuge in the castle of Cagliari; the remainder of its army is crushed. However, the same day, this February 29th, 1324, the admiral Carròs destroys the military fleet of Pisa; it is taken, burned or in escape.

Thus this double triumph, terrestrial and naval, makes it possible the task force to tighten the seat of the Cagliari castle. Installed in their city in construction of Bonaire, the Catalans await the capitulation of the castle patiently. They know that this February 29th was a decisive date for the domination of the island. At the beginning of April, the king Jaume II sends other reinforcements to his Alfons son, four “it” and two large boats of transport. On the other hand, Pisa cannot supply any more the castle encircled by the Catalans: besieged are condemned to go. June 19th, 1324, the peace treaty is signed in the tent of the Alfons young person. Pisa yields to the king Jaume II and to his Alfons son all the rights which it has on Sardinia and Corsica: cities, castles, villages, grounds, ports, mines and saline; Pisans keep the castle of Cagliari, but they must pay homage to the Catalan king; they have the right to go and come to Sardinia and to make trade. Senyera Catalana with the Four Bars is drawn up on the top of the bell-tower of the church of Cagliari. In the north of the island, the town of Sassari opens its doors with the Catalans spontaneously: privileges and habits are preserved. From now on, the cities bear Catalan names. Cagliari becomes Càller; Viladesglésias, Esglésies; Sassari, Sàsser; etc

Alfons names two high ranking officials. A governor of the island and a treasurer. The governor is Felip de Saluzzo; why Alfons does it choose Felip? it belongs to its family, by her grandmother the Constança queen; he was the adviser of Frederic II, king de Sicile; finally, he was married in Sibilla de Peralta, then once widowed, he married Galbors de Cervera, they are the girls of two powerful Catalan families; Felip thus knows perfectly the problems of the island and it has the supports necessary. The treasurer is Arnau de Caça; this man of great experiment, born in the island of Mallorca, had taken part in the conquest of Greece with the Almogavares; he was the friend of Ferran (Ferdinand), the brother of king Sanç I° de Mallorca, which he had accompanied in Greece in 1315. Conscious that its mission is achieved, Alfons, accompanied by his Teresa wife, can consider the Catalan ground return now. July 25th the couple leaves Sardinia. The 1e August 1324, it unloads in Barcelona. On the port, close to the drassanes, his/her father Jaume II, the Elisenda queen, several families of the Catalan nobility await it moved, ready to embrace it. Only absent from mark, which gave much for forwarding, it is Sanç I°, king de Mallorca; suffering, it was made replace by his brother Felip (Philippe), canon; as of its return to Perpignan, it will make the report of this history reception. History, that yes! You suspect that the people of Barcelona, curious and fond of delicacies of so considerable events, attend the scene of the royal meeting again. The chronicler Ramon Muntaner describes the festivities which proceed on all the territory of the crown of Catalunya-Aragó and on that of the kingdom of Mallorca: “The festa fo molt gran in Barcelona E per tota Catalunya E Aragon, E el queen of Valencia E Múrcia, E has Mallorca E in Rosselló, that totes the races faeren of vinguda LED senyor infant E of Madonna the infanta”. And the euphoria gains all the areas; everywhere they are scenes of rejoicings.

When it is crowned king, Alfons, to thank Hug II for Arborea, will exempt it to lend oath to him; the king will also grant the right to him to give titles to his children; the majority besides will marry Catalans.

You have just read how, in a little more than one year, the Catalan task force could make the conquest of Sardinia. And, you probably think that the Catalans are installed for a long time in the island. It will not be also simple. During tens of years, Genoa and Pisa inlassablement will foment revolts and will prepare fleets of war. The first battle bursts one year afterwards: in 1325. Useless to say to you that the Catalans do not give up the part. The king Jaume II sends reinforcements ordered by Bernat de Suspuglas which are added to the forces of the admiral Francesc Carrós; they crush the fleet of Pisa and of Soaps in front of Càller (Cagliari). The Republic of Pisa is forced to give up definitively all its rights on Sardinia. The Catalans had time to observe the institutions of Sardinia; it are really very different from the Catalan institutions. Then, Jaume II names the two reformers: Berenguer de Vilaragut and Bernat Gomis to give to Sardinia the same administrative structures as in Catalunya, and in particular a single Parliament for all the island, which does not exist yet! One thus decides to dissolve the Sardinian organization installation by the four Judges; to found the new organization, one calls upon the Catalans especially; thus the Catalan language becomes official language. August 25th, 1327, the town of Càller, preserves its advantages, but the institutions of the municipality (with elections) are copied on that of Barcelona. Càller thus becomes the center of the Catalan royal government in Sardinia. The Sardinians can of course circulate in the city, but they have prohibition to spend the night in the castle: the war, one feels it, is not finished. The commercial exchanges and cultural continue between the Catalan island and cities. In 1343, Sardinian minors are sent some time in Catalonia in the Catalan mines, to teach with the Catalans their techniques of extraction and treatment of the money.

Interminable conflicts

In 1347, a new revolt fomented by Genoa and Pisa bursts: the Catalan governor of the island, Guillem de Cervelló is killed. Father III el Cerimoniós, the new king of the Catalunya-Aragó crown, sends at once a fleet ordered by Bernat II of Will pull up; the Catalan admiral, triumphs over the fleet of Genoa in bay of Oporto Conte. In 1353, the king himself, with the head of a powerful fleet, remains in the island; he knows that, in the south, he can count on Càller; for north, the king decides to be pressed on the small port of Alguer (Alghero); he thus will give him enormous administrative, commercial and financial privileges: monopoly of the trade of the coral, fishing rights, obligatory stopover for the Catalan boats of passage, etc Little by little, the city grows and is strengthened.

But it is not sufficient: Genoa still plays spoilsport and permanently badgers north with the island. Then, on September 28th, 1372, the king decides the total expulsion from all abroad and all the Sardinians of Alguer: the city is entirely repopulated by Catalans who repurchase, at handsome price, the houses and the grounds. Do I have to specify it to you? These new inhabitants of Alguer faithful will be combined Catalan crown.

In 1376, Hug III of Arborea, opposed to the Catalans whom he regards as “the public enemies”, autoproclame king de Sardaigne; but not very psychological and poor policy, it is haï by his and it finishes assassinated by its close relations. In 1379, a new fleet of Genoa tries the blockade of Càller, but it is crushed by the admiral Gilabert de Cruïlles I of Mallorca, which is the natural son of king Sanç de Mallorca.

June 26th, 1409, in Sanluri, it is a decisive battle; on a side, there are the Sardinians, Génois and the Languedociens ordered by the Viscount of Narbonne; other side, there are the Catalan troops and a quota of Sicilians under the orders of Martí el Jove, (Martin Young king de Sicile), wire of Martí I°, king de Catalunya-Aragó. In spite of their shouting numerical inferiority, the Catalans more aguerris, better strategists, very disciplined gain a complete victory: enormous spoils, enemy standards envoys with Barcelona. King Martí I° issues an holiday period then… Alas! one month later, Martí el Jove falls ill and he dies.

But, this battle which one believed decisive, was not the last! In 1412, Lléonard Cubello takes again the torch of the Viscount of Narbonne; besieged in Oristany, it is beaten by the Catalan forces of Father of Torrelles. Finally, in 1420, Alfons IV el Magnànim (Alphonse Magnanime), the new Catalan king, is addressed to the heir to the Sardinian family of Arborea: it is the Viscount Guillem II of Narbonne, that one even which had been crushed in 1412; after negotiation, the king buys all his rights to him on Sardinia for 100.000 guilders. Ouf! Sardinia is finally fully Catalan: it will have taken ninety seven years! And, as you noted, the kingdom of Mallorca played a remarkable part in this military forwarding.

In conclusion, we can say that Sardinia became, a Catalan commercial base of first order, and also a military base and policy. The installation of important quotas of Catalan population, the political power and economic, cultural prestige made that quickly the Catalan language was spoken in the cities and the campaigns, it was the official language of the administrative documents and the Parliament of all the island; in 1421, under the king Alfons IV el Magnànim, it will be the meeting of the second Parliament after that of 1355 convened by Pierre III; Alfons will give him a solid organization and will create a calendar; the Parliament was held as a Catalan, language understood by all. The port of Palma will be quickly the large recipient of the commercial exchanges with Sardinia. As of the XV° century, for the Catalans, there is no difference between Sardinia and Balears which belong to the Catalunya-Aragó-Valencia confederation. In architecture, the Catalans export in Sardinia the style gothico-Catalan, as they had done in Sicily. Sardinia thus remains attached to the Catalan and Iberian policy of 1323 to 1713. In 1718, Victor Amédée II of Savoy becomes king of Sardinia.

See too

External bonds

History of the Catalans

History of Sardinia