Aragón and its Place in European History, a MEIOU AAR

[gigau]

Hashshashins​

14th Century painting of the assassination of Nizam al-Mulk by a hashshashin​

Assassins (Arabic: hashshashin, Modern Turkish: Hashasiler, also Hashishin, Hassassin, or Hashashiyyin) is a misnomer for the Nizari Ismailis applied abusively to them by the Mustali Ismailis during the fall of the decaying Ismaili Fatimid Empire when the two streams separated from each other. In 1122 the Mustalian dynasty Fatimid caliph al-Amir referred to the Nizaris separated from them and "now firmly established in Persia and Syria", abusively as the hashishiyya "without any explanation" and "without actually accusing them of using hashish, a product of hemp".

The term hashishiyya or hashishi as used by Muslim sources is used metaphorically in its abusive sense (i.e. "irreligious social outcasts", "low-class rabble", etc.). "The literal interpretation of this term in referring to the Nizaris (as hashish consuming intoxicated assassins) is rooted in the fantasies of medieval Westerners and their imaginative ignorance of Islam and the Ismailis." These supposedly medieval fantasies were still in vogue as late as 1990 until the publication of the ground breaking book on the Ismailis by the Twelver Shia author and researcher in original documents in Arabic and Persian that had been discovered in the late 20th century concerning the Ismailis in general and the Nizari Ismailis in particular.

In time the Nizari Ismailis of Persia and Syria began to pose a strong military threat to Sunni Seljuq authority within the Persian territories by capturing and inhabiting many mountain fortresses under their first leader Hassan-i Sabbah (or Hassan bin Sabbah).

The theory that the word "assassin" was derived from the Arabic word hashishin (i.e. "users of hashish"), is now considered outdated and incorrect because it refers to the now outdated and incorrect medieval sources known to have been hostile to the Nizari Ismailis. One of the classic offenders of creating this false myth were the writings of Marco Polo in which the Nizari Ismailis were depicted as assassins. Marco Polo's sources were even worse: only hearsay sources heard by him on his travel through the Levant and Syria.

According to texts that have been found i their former fortress at Alamut, the founder of the Nizari sect, Hassan-i Sabbah, liked to call his disciples "Asasiyun", meaning people who are faithful to the Asas, meaning "foundation" of the faith. Hashashins executed those who represented a threat to the Nizari cause and Islam, but would rarely attack ordinary citizens though and tended not to be hostile towards them. They favored one single assassination than the wide bloodshed of actual combat. Genocide was not tolerated, and the hashashins believed that large political assassinations would bring peace and a true sense of security to the common people. Slaying innocents and civilian bystanders who did not need to die could spread strife and discord, in addition to ruining the name of the Nizari order.

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Timeline of killings and events connected to the hashshashins

1090: Hassan-i Sabbah siezes the fortress of Alamut. His community and its branches spread throughout Iran and Syria and came to be called Hashshashin, also known as the Fedayin (Meaning 'The Martyrs', or 'Men Who Accept Death'), a mystery cult.

Artistic rendering of Hassan-i Sabbah​

1092: The famous Seljuq vizier Nizam al-Mulk was murdered by an Assassin in Baghdad.
1094: Al-Mustansir dies, and Hassan does not recognize the new caliph, al-Mustali. He and his followers transferred their allegiance to his brother Nizar. The followers of Hassan soon even came at odds with the caliph in Baghdad.
1113: Following the death of Aleppo's ruler, Ridwan, the Assassins are driven out of the city by the troops of Ibn al-Khashab.
1110s: The Assassins in Syria change their strategy, and start undercover work and build cells in all cities around the region.
1123: Ibn al-Khashab is killed by an Assassin.
1124: Hassan dies in Alamut, but the organization lives on stronger than ever. — The leading qadi Abu Saad al-Harawi is killed by an Assassin.
After the death of Hassan some notable events included the following:
1126 November 26: Emir Porsuki of Aleppo and Mosul is killed by an Assassin .
12th century: The Assassins extend their activities into Syria, where they could get much support from the local Shi'ite minority as the Seljuq sultanate had captured this territory.
The Assassins capture a group of castles in the Nusayriyya Mountains (modern Syria). The most important of these castles was the Masyaf, from which "The Old Man of Mountain", Rashideddin Sinan ruled practically independent from the main leaders of the Assassins.
1173: The Assassins of Syria enter negotiations with Amalric I, King of Jerusalem, with the aim of converting to Christianity. But as the Assassins by now were numerous and often worked as peasants. They paid high taxes to local Christian landlords that Christian peasants were exempted from. Their conversion was opposed by the landlords, and this year the Assassin negotiators were murdered by Christian knights. After this, there was no more talk of conversion.
1175: Rashideddin's men make two attempts on the life of Saladin, the leader of the Ayyubids. The second time, the Assassin came so close that wounds were inflicted upon Saladin.
1192: Conrad of Montferrat, King of Jerusalem, is stabbed to death by Assassins before his coronation.
1256: Alamut fortress falls to the Mongols under the leadership of Hülegü Khan. Before this happened, several other fortresses had been captured, and finally Alamut was weak and with little support.
1257: The Mongol warlord Hülegü attacks and destroys the fortress at Alamut. The Assassin library is fully razed, hence destroying a crucial source of information about the Assassins.
Around 1265: The Assassin strongholds in Syria fall to the Mamluk sultan Baybars I.
1389: Hashshashin factions regroup in Al Karak, with the blessings of Tûmân Bey, the Mameluk monarch, and then by Shihab ud-Din II, the emir of the Anazah
1392: An Assassin allegedly stabs Ferran I d'Aragó during a ceremony of hommage in Jerusalem
1445: Tomàs Folc de Cardona captures Al Karak. All the Assassins captured are executed and their bodies displayed in all the captured Syrian cities
1483: 'Abbas Fazil is killed by an Assassin shortly after he storms one of their stranghold north of Damascus. He is the last victim attributed to the Assassins.






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[gigau]

Ferran I d'Aragón​

Ferran (Aragonese : Ferrando, Spanish : Fernando, English : Ferdinand, French : Ferdinand) was the King of Aragon, the King of Sardinia and Corsica, the King of Valencia, King of Mallorca, Duke of Provence, and Count of Barcelona (and the rest of the Principality of Catalonia) following the death of Joan I, his cousin, until his death. He recieved the Crown of Jerusalem following the peace treaty with Tûmân Bay I the same year.

During his life, he was often styled 'el Ardit' ("the Bold") on the basis of the brilliant strategies he developped in the service of his cousin Joan I. He is however more remembered by his posthumous style 'el Efímer" ("the Ephemeral"), because of this very short reign.

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Early life​

Ferran is born to Jaume, count of Urgell and brother of Pere IV, and Branca de Avis, infant of the Portuguese Court. Very young, he was sent as pupil to the Court in Barcelona.

He would become very close to his cousin Joan, future king of Aragon, and mostly Joana, second daughter of Pere IV to his first wife Maria de Navarra (and as such, half-sister of Joan). Ferran gained permission for the marriage from Pope Clemens VII, and absolution for marriage to a blood-relative. He married Joana on 23 February 1365 at the Palace de La Paeria, in Lleida.

Palau de la Paeria​

He served as Joan's confident and consellor, and remained with him up until Joan's death in the Holy Land.

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Military Campaigns​

North Africa Expedition : Aragon had been, for 6 years, involved in a Fezzian war of agression against England (1359-1366). In June 1366, Joan and Ferran arrived with reinforcements. Leading an army of Aragonese and English regiments, Joan suffered a defeat at the Battle of Tanja, to a smaller Fezzian army. Ferran managed to salvage the army and operated a retreat to Arzew. Joan would remain affected by his defeat on the first battle he led in the name of his father. From there, Ferran would play a bigger role in planning battles, displaying brilliant strategies.

The Road to Granada : in August 1367, Aragon joined Castile and Portugal in a Crusade against Granada and the Hafsid Tunisia. Following an agreement between Pedro I of Castile and Pere IV, Joan and Ferran led the Aragonese troops to Tunisia. Even though Aragon would gain only prestige in the end, a long string of victories would prevent the Hafsids from sending reinforcements to Granada, allowing Castile to complete the Reconquista in January 1370.

The First of the Italian Wars : With the end of the Reconquista, Castile turns its eyes north towards the Duchy of Albret. Aragon ends up at war with two of its former allies, England and Portugal. If this didn't prevent from further close relationship with Portugal, it was really the end of the Aragonese-English friendship. Ferran participated to the Italian Campaign of the war. He defeated twice Aldobrandinò III d'Este, Duke of Modena and one of Italy's most celegrated general of his time.

Siege of Punènte and of Corsica : part of the Aragonese Conquest of Corsica, these sieges would prove to be hard, lasting, respectivelly, 1 and 4 years. When he entered Genoa, the spectacle of the starving inhabitants had a profound effect on Ferran, who would later prefer being part of battles, rather than leading sieges.

Sardinia Pacification : in 1386, a major uprising took place in Sardinia, mostly centered on the newly conquered Aristanis. Ferran quickly quelled the rebellion, as Frederigo Durazzo, son of former Giuddicato of Arborea, is no match as army leader. Frederigo is killed in the retreat that ensues.

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The Holy Land​

See also Tenth Crusade​

It is during the Campaign of Egypt that Ferran will display his greatest strategies. He favoured pragmatism over chivalry in the massed use of infantry strongholds, dismounted men at arms, longbowmen, and flank attacks (a revolutionary practice in a chivalric age, both in Chistiandom and in the Muslim countries). The Battle of Al Gizeh, on 22 May 1390, with the annihilation of the main Mameluk force would remain one of the most impacting victory of the end of the XIVth century. Not only did it open the Holy Land to conquest by the Aragonese troops, but it also proved that Aragon was not just a naval nation, but it also had an army worthy of recognition.

Following Joan's death in an ambush, en route from Jerusalem to the siege of Damascus, Ferran was aknowledged King of Aragon. He entered Damascus on 21 May 1392. Shortly after, king Duarte of Portugal arrived, to discuss with Ferran and captured Mameluk monarch Tûmân Bey. In the name of his late cousin, he secured Jerusalem, Gaza, Nablus and Galilea for Aragon.

With the peace treaty signed, Ferran returned to Jerusalem, to be crowned in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, in the presence of a large majority of the Aragonese knights.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre (1885)​

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Death​

On 1 September 1392, as he was receiving pledges of hommage from members of the nobility and of the clergy in Jerusalem, an assassin disguised as a monk stabs Ferran. Very quickly, the "hashashins", very active during the previous Crusades, are suspected. Although they were all but wiped out over a century before, they reappeared when the Portuguese and Aragonese troops landed in Egypt.

He became severely weakened over the following months. Some have come to suspect that the blade was poisonned. He rested in Jerusalem, not being ready to voyage. He remained until the end of 1392, and celebrated Christmas in Bethleem.

In January 1392, he set sail for Aragon to confirm his coronation according to the Aragonese tradition, in Zaragoza. He was also worried of the potential rise of a contender in his absence. During the voyage home, he made a stay in Palermu, to visit his vassal Duchess Maria I. He then continued on through Sardinia, Marseille and Montpellier. All the while, he was continually with doctors as he continued to feel weak. In Montpellier, he visited the doctors of the doctors of the University, to no avail.

In July 1393, he reached Zaragoza. After his coronation, he continued to Valencia. But there, he made only a short appearance in fron of an assembly of nobles, before falling deeply ill. Feeling slightly better in September, he was transported back towards Barcelona. He stopped at the Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet. He would never leave the Monastery, as his condition worsened in October. Ferran died on 1 December 1393.

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Gains of Ferran I for the Crown of Aragon

Yellow : Aragonese demesne upon Joan's death
Green : Vassal kingdom of Sicily
Blue-grey : Vassal duchy of Epirus
Pink : Vassal principality of Cephalonia
Circled in dark red : gains of the Tenth Crusade​

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[Seelmeister]

A very enjoyable update, particularly considering that Ferran's reign was so short!

 

[gigau]

A very enjoyable update, particularly considering that Ferran's reign was so short!

Thanks. It was short indeed, i was caught a bit off guard when he died...

 

[Rifal]

I wonder how long it will b until france comes looking for Provence

 

[gigau]

I wonder how long it will b until france comes looking for Provence

Well, stay tuned as the Aragonese border cannot stay as is indefinitely...

 

[gigau]

For an interesting read :

​

 

[the_hdk]

Didn't know I was a hashishin


didn't know they nearly converted. thats would have been a twist.

I like the addition of Ferdi I to the list like the nick


so whos next?

 

[gigau]

didn't know they nearly converted. thats would have been a twist.

Well, doing research to improve my AAR does teach me lots of things i was far from suspecting. It's a pleasure to share those informaions.

I like the addition of Ferdi I to the list like the nick

Was a tough one to get. I could have gone for none, but... what can i say, i'd like to give one to each of my rulers... o

so whos next?

An update on his brother is arriving...

 

[gigau]

Martí I d'Aragón​

Martí (Aragonese and Castilian : Martín, English and French : Martin) was the King of Aragon, the King of Jerusalem, the King of Sardinia and Corsica, the King of Valencia, King of Mallorca, Duke of Provence, and Count of Barcelona (and the rest of the Principality of Catalonia) following the death of Ferran I, his brother, until his death.

Ferran is born to Jaume, count of Urgell and brother of Pere IV, and his second wife Elizabeth of Plantagenet. He was raised at his father's court, in Urgell. In 1381, he was married to Catherine de Foix, sister of Arnaud, Count of Foix.

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The Two Holy Cities​

In June of 1392, news that Ferran had successfully negociated the cessation of Jerusalem to the Crown of Aragon arrived in Catalunya. Pious queen Joana, realising the implication of this news with regards to the already strained relation with the Papacy, promptly sent the King's brother Martí in an ambassy to Rome.

On his arrival in the Papal States, Martí was greeted by the Bishop of Lazio, and asked to wait in Veterbe. It is unclear why Martí had to wait outside of Rome, as it was the tradition even during times of war. What is known however is that, when allowed to meet with the Pope, he engaged in a gruff diplomacy, to the great dispair of those close to the Queen who accompagnied him.

When confronted by the Pope regarding the "failed mercantile war for Alexandria" and regarding the ownership of Jerusalem, Martí replied that the war an actual Crusade, that the call to Holy War by Urban II in 1095 was still valid, and that, if the Papacy had lost its strength and will, Aragon would not be spoiled of Jerusalem. Discussions continued but the core question of the fate of Jerusalem remained unresolved.

By Autumn, Martí was called back to Barcelona by the Queen. He arrived at the Court on the same day as a messager from Holy Land giving news of the assassination attempt on Ferran. The matter would remain on hyatus during Ferran's convalescence. At the news of his death, Pope send a Nuncio to Martí to renew his demand that Jerusalem be ceded to the Pope. Martí announced that he would keep his brother's course and hold on to Jerusalem. To confirm this, he decides to make Jerusalem a national focus.

In response, Martí was excommunicated, and the kingdom opened to conquest by the other Catholic nations. However, the previous Aragonese diplomatic treaties with the kingdoms of Castile, of France and of Portugal, and the bonds with the duchies of Savoie and of Milan made any attack improbable.

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All Paths Lead to Rome​

See also Les Guerres d'Itàlia​

In 1395, Martí decided to expand his possessions in the Kingdom of Sicily, with the hope to vassalise the Kingdom of Naples. In spring of 1396, he lands near Maples with the 9 000 of the Exército Reial.
Cèsar de Guimerà, with the Exército de Sicilìa, faces Frederigo I, king of Naples, at the Battle of Catanzaro. It is a decisive Aragonese victory. The remnants of the Naples armys is caught up by de Guimerà close to Bochigliero, east of Cusenza. From this point, all organised defense from Naples ceased. Martí and de Guimerà were free to siege one province after the other. The treaty of Ravenna was signed on 12 September 1399. Frederigo II d'Anjou managed to negociate his way out of vassalage, ceding the provinces of Salierna, of Basilicata and of Pùglie. Frederigo I also agreed to yield all claims on the Islands of Sicily and of Malta, and on the provinces of Calabria and Cusenza.

This war would cripple the Kingdom of Naples beyond recovery. Even before the end of the Aragonese war, the Pope declared war with the intention of claiming back Romagna and Lazio. As soon as the Aragonese armies had evacuated following the peace treaty, the Papal armies marched in. And within two years, the Pope gained Romagna, Lazio, Cajeta and Campania.

From 1398 to 1401, the Crown of Aragon faced an unusual amount of revolts, mostly in Provence, in Pùnente and in Sardinia. Very often, there were high suspicion of foreign activity, and even in some cases proof of Genoese intervention. So, in September of 1401, Martí led his Exército to Genoa, where, after defeating a force led by Lorenzo Mella, he laid a siege under the walls of the Ligurian city.
During that time, Cèsar de Guimerà and Enric de Montcada led their respective troops in the Papal States, the Pope having decided to support Genoa in this war. During the first two years, the Aragonese faced great difficulties against well organised armies. It was not until the beginning of 1404 that de Guimerà was able to siege Papal cities. By August 1405, Campania was under complete Aragonese control, all Papal officials having vacated the province. Aragonese forces also significantly controled the provinces of Romagna, of Siena, of Umbria and of Cajeta. Lazio would fall the following month.
Meanwhile, Genoa continues to withstand the siege besides the Aragonese Exército Reial on land, and the fleet patrolling outside the port. On the night of 17 November 1405, 300 Chiavaresi attacked the Aragonese camp and succeeded in killing Martí.

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Nickname​

Desperate to raise funds to finance the treasury and to fight the growing inflation, Martí strengthened his power through confiscation of church lands and property. That, along with his excommunication, led to him being nicknamed, in the later years of his reign, "el Dolent" (the Bad).

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Gains of Martí I for the Crown of Aragon

Yellow : Aragonese demesne upon Ferran's death
Green : Vassal kingdom of Sicily
Blue-grey : Vassal duchy of Epirus
Pink : Vassal principality of Cephalonia
Circled in dark red : Martí's gains
Hatched : under Aragonese control at Martí's death​

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[gigau]

The 300 Chiavaresi​

Portrayal of Genoa in 1493, woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle.​

The 300 Chiavaresi were 300 men from Chiavari who, during the Siege of Genoa, attacked on the night of 17 November 1405, the besieging Aragonese army, with the aim to kill or capture Martí el Dolent, King of Aragon.

In 1401, Genoa, reacting to the Aragonese expansion in the Kingdom of Naples, but also to the conflict between Martí de Barcelona and Pope Gregorius XII, launchers a series of covert operations to destabilise the Crown of Aragon. As a reaction, Martí el Dolent led his Exército Reial towards Genoa to deal with the source of his stability problems. After four years of siege, the Genoese situation was become desperate. they decided a night attack with 300 men, led by Giacomo di Campofregoso, against the sleeping Aragonese army.

Benefiting from relaxed sentries of an over-confident army, the Chiavaresi managed to get deep into the Aragonese camp before the alarm was raised. At that point, all 300 men charged towards the royal tent. The Guarda Reial quickly mounted a defense of their King, but were rapidly overwhelmed. Shortly after, Martí fell, his sword in hand.

Far outnumbered by the now awaken Aragonese army, none of the 300 Chiavaresi survived. It is estimated that, besides the King and the 50 members of the Guardia Reial, 281 soldiers died in the attack.

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Aftermath

The Attack of the 300 Chiavaresi is considered to be a Genoese tactical victory, as they managed to kill the King of Aragon. However they failed to have a strategic victory as they expected the leaderless army to be disorganised and to retreat.

They only forestalled their fate for about a year before the city was compelled to surrender. Jaume III, Martí's son and successor, had the leaders of each Patrician family tied together and thrown in the port to be drowned.

The story of the 300 Chiavaresi would be set as an example of self-sacrifice for the cause and of resistance against the Aragonese kings in each Ligurian revolts.



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[Samwell]

Nice update, I really love the style.

It's seem like the king of Aragon will soon wear the italian crown as well

Good luck for the continuation.

 

[the_hdk]

ahh he wasn't that bad poor italian propaganda

brave 300 let's see what Jaime III will bring?

did you decide on the 200 years? replay to go on?

 

[gigau]

Nice update, I really love the style.

Thanks a lot, glad you like it

It's seem like the king of Aragon will soon wear the italian crown as well

Well, at the very least, the Kingship of Naples is close at hand.

Good luck for the continuation.

Thanks. I'll be posting a smal article on the Italian Wars soon.

ahh he wasn't that bad poor italian propaganda

Well, in a still very much Catholic world, antagonising the Pope wasn't all that good...

brave 300

Well this article is dedicated to the 600 Franchimontois, who attempted to kill or capture Charles the Bold, Duke of Bourgogne, and Louis XI, King of France, at the siege of Liège in 1468. Had they succeeded, how different would European history have been ?

let's see what Jaime III will bring?

Stay tuned

did you decide on the 200 years? replay to go on?

Given the bug corrections i need to do, and given the things i want to add given some recent test results, i think that i'll have to find a twist in the following updates, and keep the game as is. I've been thinking also that my late game was plagued with several difficulties... restarting would feel a bit like cheating (even if it were to be done for roleplay, and would add an extra layer of difficulty or two).

 

[Seelmeister]

Two very enjoyable updates, I like the amount of detail you are adding to ingame events. Marti has made considerable gains for Aragon, its a shame his reign was cut short at Genoa. Looking forward to reading about the Italian wars soon!

 

[G.Strategos]

Great update buddy...Congrats...can't wait for the next...

 

[Vrael_1492]

I love these updates, they are absolutely amazing. You are doing well so far.

 

[Tamm01]

Jaume III, Martí's son and successor, had the leaders of each Patrician family tied together and thrown in the port to be drowned.

Bah! Drowning was too good for them! Please tell me that they were, at the very least, first dragged naked through the streets of Genoa, before being dumped into the bay?!

 

[gigau]

Marti has made considerable gains for Aragon, its a shame his reign was cut short at Genoa.

Martí was indeed a great king, with lots of potential... but it seems that warrior-kings are destined to have short reigns

Looking forward to reading about the Italian wars soon!

It'll be coming soon.

Two very enjoyable updates, I like the amount of detail you are adding to ingame events.

Great update buddy...Congrats...can't wait for the next...

I love these updates, they are absolutely amazing. You are doing well so far.

Thank you guys, glad you liked it.

Bah! Drowning was too good for them! Please tell me that they were, at the very least, first dragged naked through the streets of Genoa, before being dumped into the bay?!

Well, actually not much is know about what exactly happened in Genoa once it fell : the city was set afire, and burned during several days. If chroniclers can ascertain that Jaume III gave the order, and that their bodies still tied washed on a shore not far, too many different accounts of the event exist to be sure of what happened.

Aragonese sources tend to state that they were executed before their corpses were thrown in the water.

Genoese accounts talk about use of the breaking wheel, in which the bludgeoning was done to near-death so that the victims had their senses when they drowned in the port.

Milanese and French chroniclers have varying versions. It would seem that the Cambiaso family, which had promoted, generations before, the trade league compact between Genoa and Aragon, was allowed to chose their family member to be sacrificed in compensation for Martí's death, who would receive a clean death. There are some to claim that it was not even a Cambiaso that was killed and thrown in the port, but a criminal. On the other hand, it appears that the Pallovicini familiy, to which were linked the covert operations that led to the war, and to which di Campofregoso, the leader of the 300 Chiavaresi, was destroyed completely. The men were tortured, humiliated and thrown in the water alive. The male children were executed so that no Pallovicini would ever be able to strike at the Crown. The fate of the women and girls is unclear, probably not envious, but it seems many joined Ligurian and Pisan convents. It is the gold of the Pallovicini family that would constitute the tribute that Genoa paid to end the war.

 

[gigau]

Les Guerres d'Itàlia​

The Italian Wars ("les Guerres d'Itàlia" in Catalan) were a series of conflicts from 1359 to 1407, that involved, at various times, mostly the Crown of Aragon, the Papal States, the Republic of Genoa and the Kingdom of Naples. Were also involved Portugal, England, Poland, Firenze, Milan and Venice. The Italian Wars can be split in two phases : before and after the Tenth Crusade, or, to be precise, before and after the capture of Jerusalem.

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Italian War of 1359-1365

In 1297, Pope Boniface VIII established motu proprio (on his own initiative)a hypothetical regnum Sardiniæet Corsicæ in order to settle diplomaticaly the War of the Vespers broken out ten years before between the Angevins and the Aragonese over the possession of Sicily. Ignoring the claims of the inhabitants of the Giudicati, the Pope offered this new crown to Jaume II and his support in the conquest of Pisan Sardinia in exchange of yielding his claims over Sicily.

The Palace of the Doges in Genoa​

In 1323, allied with the Giudici of Sassari, the Aragonese troops occupied the Pisan territories of Cagliari and Gallura. For several decades, the Giudicato of Arborea remained independent. It even promulgated the Carta de Logu, a charter of the land for the kingdom of Sardinia, the Giudici considering himself rightful ruler of Sardinia.

By 1359, the Pope had placed the Giudicato under interdict, opening it to conquest. Pere IV declared war on excommunicted Giudici Frederigo Durazzo. In a sway of alliance, the Angevins decided to suport the excommunicated ruler against the Aragonese invasion.

After a swift campaign, the Crown of Aragon were in complete control of the cities of Sardinia, although it would still take them decades to grasp a firm control of the entire island. The war would continue between Aragon and Naples, a war that would cripple Naples' economy and its hability to defend itself durably. By the end of 1365, Naples was forced to cede Calabrìa and Cusenza to Aragon. Less than a century after the Angevin diplomatic victory, the Barchinona dynasty was taking its revenge.

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Italian War of 1383-1387

The War of the Aragonese Conquest of Corsica is a continuation of the previous Italian War, for possession of the entire regnum Sardiniæet Corsicæ. The Pope frowned on this conquest he didn't quite agree on, But his predecessor Boniface VIII had given legitimacy to the Crown of Aragon when he created the title. Given its strategical importance in the trade and European presence in the Black Sea, the Pope would spend much effort during the war to convince Genoa to yield Corsica, and Aragon to limit the damage to the Merchant Republic.

In 1387, the Pope achieved his goald when the two nations sign a peace treaty and a 15 year truce. Aragon gained its primary target Corsica. Joan I negociated to have Punènte and its naval supplies production to speed up the reconstruction of the fleet that the Genoese destroyed.

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The Jerusalem Question​

Following the Tenth Crusade and the take-over of Jerusalem, tensions arose between the Kings of Aragon and the Pope regarding the control of the Holy City. Having spilled its blood, Aragon felt it was only fair they should keep the control of Jerusalem, along with the income of the pilgrims coming to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. The Pope claimed that, as a Holy City, it was the Demesne of God on Earth, and therefore should belong to the Papal States.

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Italian War of 1395-1399

In 1395, Martí decided to expand his possessions in the Kingdom of Sicily, with the hope to vassalise the Kingdom of Naples. In spring of 1396, he lands near Maples with the 9 000 of the Exército Reial.

Cèsar de Guimerà, with the Exército de Sicilìa, faces Frederigo I, king of Naples, at the Battle of Catanzaro. It is a decisive Aragonese victory. The remnants of the Naples armys is caught up by de Guimerà close to Bochigliero, east of Cusenza. From this point, all organised defense from Naples ceased. Martí and de Guimerà were free to siege one province after the other. The treaty of Ravenna was signed on 12 September 1399. Frederigo II d'Anjou managed to negociate his way out of vassalage, ceding the provinces of Salierna, of Basilicata and of Pùglie. Frederigo I also agreed to yield all claims on the Islands of Sicily and of Malta, and on the provinces of Calabria and Cusenza.

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Italian War of 1401-1407

The Aragonese War over Genoese Provocation is called the fourth Italian War as open warfare began only with the Aragonese declaration of war on Genoa. Many Spanish historians set the start date in 1394, claiming that the Pope had waged a silent war on Aragon for several years.

During the years that followed the capture of Jerusalem, several major revolts sparked in Aragonese possessions in Europe, outside mainland Iberia. If several of the major uprisings were clearly linked to Enrico Durazzo, son of the former Giudici, and his attempts to restore an independent Sardinia, some of them seemed orchestrated from abroad. It wasn't until 1396, that it became clear that these rebellions were fininanced and armed by the Fregoso family of Genoa, supporters and bankers of the Pope.

In order not to be ill-seen by the other nations of Chistiandom, Aragon declared war to the Campofregoso dogate of Genoa, knowing that the real responsable of the covert war waged on the Crown, the Pope, would be forced to join in. The first three years proved to be difficult for teh Aragonese troops which faced very organised Papal and Genoese armies.

Battle of Montevarchi by an unknown Flemish artist (oil on panel, 16th century)​

In 1404, the Genoese and Papal armies were bled out, and Aragonese forces started sieging the Papal strongholds. Quickly, not only was Campania under complete Aragonese control, but the population had risen up all over the province. In the chaos of the conquest, the population slaughtered the Papal magistrates and civil officers before the Aragonese troops could react. Papal sources claimed that the Aragonese forces participated in the atrocities. By the end of 145, by all intents and purposes, Campania was an Aragonese province.

In October of 1406, Rome fell to Cèsar de Guimerà and his Exército. Rome was sacked by the Aragonese army for two months before Jaume III could put an end to it. In Arpil 1407, the Pope acknowledged that Capania was now in Aragonese hands, ceding Cajeta as well. The conflict over Jerusalem was also resolved, the Pope accepting the fact that Jerusalem would be better protected by the Aragonese Exércitos.

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Aftermath​

The Italian Wars were the most important steps towards the rise to prominensce of Aragon to the detriment, mainly, of the Kingdom of Naples. By the end of the XVth century, Naples fell under vassalage to the Crown of Aragon.

Wether Aragon levered its way to that position, or did the Pope somehow buy the support of Aragon, or did their interest happen to coincide, it is unclear, but from 1407 onward, Gregorius XII and his successors would call Aragon "Armatus ala Ecclesiae" (Catalan : el Braç Armat de l'Església, English : the Armed Wing of the Church).








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