Compromise of Caspe
Encyclopedia
The Compromise of Caspe made in 1412 was an act and resolution of parliamentary representatives on behalf of the Kingdoms of Aragon
and Valencia
and the County of Barcelona
, to resolve the interregnum commenced by the death of King Martin I of Aragon
in 1410 without a legitimate heir, in Caspe
.
The succession laws of the Aragonese Empire at that time were rather hazy, based more on custom than any specific legislation, and even case law did not exist. All successions in time of united Barcelona-Aragon had been to the eldest son, to the next younger brother, or to the only daughter. However, earlier successions indicated that agnates (males in male line) of Aragonese royal family had precedence over daughters and descendants of daughters—for example, Martin himself had succeeded over daughters of his late elder brother, King John I. However, very distant agnates had lost out to the daughter of the late king in 11th century, when Petronila of Aragon
succeeded over claims of the then agnates (second cousins or the like), the Kings of Navarre and Castile.
J.N Hillgarth writes: "Among the descendants by the male line, the closest relation to Martín was James II of Urgell
."
T.N.Bisson writes: "… the issue was (or became) political rather than simply legal, a utilitarian question of which candidate with some dynastic claim would make the best king".
to meet in Montblanch
, but the meeting was delayed and ended up in Barcelona
starting in October 1410. As the cortes dragged on, things got violent. Antonio de Luna, an Aragonese supporter of Count James II of Urgell, assassinated the archbishop of Zaragoza, García Fernández de Heredía. There was fighting in the streets especially between partisans of Aragon and Valencia. Pope Bendict XIII (Avignon)
intervened and proposed a smaller group of nine compromisarios (negotiators).
The parliamentarians agreed, and on 15 February 1412 in the Concordia de Alcañiz they appointed the compromisarios who then met in Caspe near Zaragoza, to examine the rights of the pretenders. The compromisarios were:
On 28 June 1412 by votes of three Aragonese, two Valencian and one Catalan, the compromisarios proclaimed the Castilian Infante as King Ferdinand I of Aragon
.
. James's supporters were defeated in battle on 25 June 1413 outside of Lleida
. Antonio de Luna enlisted the support of Gascon
and English
troops who invaded at Jaca
but they were defeated on 10 July 1413, before being able to join with James's army. In August, Ferdinand began the siege of Balaguer. Meanwhile, Antonio de Luna had organized defenses in Huesca; however, the Castle of Montearagón
was taken on 11 August, and he and his troops fled to Loarre Castle
. In October 1413, James surrendered at Balaguer. The following January, Loarre Castle fell and the rebellion was over.
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
and Valencia
Kingdom of Valencia
The Kingdom of Valencia , located in the eastern shore of the Iberian Peninsula, was one of the component realms of the Crown of Aragon. When the Crown of Aragon merged by dynastic union with the Crown of Castile to form the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Valencia became a component realm of the...
and the County of Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, to resolve the interregnum commenced by the death of King Martin I of Aragon
Martin I of Aragon
Martin of Aragon , called the Elder, the Humane, the Ecclesiastic, was the King of Aragon, Valencia, Sardinia, and Corsica and Count of Barcelona from 1396 and King of Sicily from 1409...
in 1410 without a legitimate heir, in Caspe
Caspe
Caspe or Casp is a historic town and municipality in the province of Zaragoza, in the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It is situated some 100 km to the east of the provincial capital, Zaragoza.-History:...
.
The succession laws of the Aragonese Empire at that time were rather hazy, based more on custom than any specific legislation, and even case law did not exist. All successions in time of united Barcelona-Aragon had been to the eldest son, to the next younger brother, or to the only daughter. However, earlier successions indicated that agnates (males in male line) of Aragonese royal family had precedence over daughters and descendants of daughters—for example, Martin himself had succeeded over daughters of his late elder brother, King John I. However, very distant agnates had lost out to the daughter of the late king in 11th century, when Petronila of Aragon
Petronila of Aragon
Petronilla of Aragon , whose name is also spelled Petronila or Petronella , was Queen regnant of Aragon from 1137 until 1164. She was the daughter and successor of Ramiro II by Agnes of Aquitaine...
succeeded over claims of the then agnates (second cousins or the like), the Kings of Navarre and Castile.
J.N Hillgarth writes: "Among the descendants by the male line, the closest relation to Martín was James II of Urgell
James II of Urgell
James II was the Count of Urgell , Viscount of Àger, and lord of Antillón, Alcolea de Cinca, and Fraga...
."
T.N.Bisson writes: "… the issue was (or became) political rather than simply legal, a utilitarian question of which candidate with some dynastic claim would make the best king".
Candidates
The important candidates for succession were:- Frederic de Aragón y Luna (Frederick), Count of Luna, grandson of Martin I of Aragón and Queen María de Luna, bastard of their predeceased son Martin the Younger King of Sicily, though legitimized by Pope Benedict XIII.
- Jaume (James), Count of Urgel, great-grandson of Alfonso IV of AragonAlfonso IV of AragonAlfonso IV, called the Kind was the King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona from 1327 to his death. He was the second son of James II and Blanche of Anjou...
in the male line and appointed as Lieutenant of the Kingdom by Martin. Closest agnate, son of Martin's first cousin.
- Alfons, Duke of GandiaGandiaGandia is a city and municipality in the Valencian Community, Eastern Spain on the Mediterranean. Gandia is located on the Costa del Azahar, 65 km south of Valencia and 96 km north of Alicante....
, an octogenarian, grandson of Jaime II of Aragon in the male line, died in 1412 leaving his son as the next duke of Gandia. First cousin of Martin's father. The most senior (laterally as well as in age) and high in proximity to late reigning kings of Aragon (the stem of this succession).
- Louis III of Anjou, Duke of Calabria, grandson of John I of AragonJohn I of AragonJohn I , called by posterity the Hunter or the Lover of Elegance , but the Abandoned in his lifetime, was the King of...
through his mother Yolande of AragonYolande of AragonYolande of Aragon, , was a throne claimant and titular queen regnant of Aragon, titular queen consort of Naples, Duchess of Anjou, Countess of Provence, and regent of Provence during the minority of her son...
. Cognatic great-nephew of Martin. Heir general to the line, John I having been the eldest son of Peter IV of AragonPeter IV of AragonPeter IV, , called el Cerimoniós or el del punyalet , was the King of Aragon, King of Sardinia and Corsica , King of Valencia , and Count of Barcelona Peter IV, (Balaguer, September 5, 1319 – Barcelona, January 6, 1387), called el Cerimoniós ("the Ceremonious") or el del punyalet ("the one...
and elder brother of Martin.
- Fernando de TrastámaraFerdinand I of AragonFerdinand I called of Antequera and also the Just or the Honest) was king of Aragon, Valencia, Majorca, Sardinia and Corsica and king of Sicily, duke of Athens and Neopatria, and count of Barcelona, Roussillon and Cerdanya...
, el de Antequera (Ferdinand), Infante of Castile, grandson of Peter IV of AragonPeter IV of AragonPeter IV, , called el Cerimoniós or el del punyalet , was the King of Aragon, King of Sardinia and Corsica , King of Valencia , and Count of Barcelona Peter IV, (Balaguer, September 5, 1319 – Barcelona, January 6, 1387), called el Cerimoniós ("the Ceremonious") or el del punyalet ("the one...
through his mother Eleanor of Aragon, queen of Castile. Cognatic nephew of Martin.
Deliberations
The parties had agreed to a parliamentary process to resolve the issue. But coordinating deliberations between the cortes (parliaments) of Aragón, Valencia and Barcelona was difficult, due to their diverging interests. So a general cortes was called by the governor of CataloniaCatalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
to meet in Montblanch
Montblanc, Tarragona
Montblanc s the capital of the Catalan comarca Conca de Barberà, in the Spanish province of Tarragona.The Prades Mountains are located in the vicinity of this municipality.-History:The area around Montblanc has been inhabited for thousands of years...
, but the meeting was delayed and ended up in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
starting in October 1410. As the cortes dragged on, things got violent. Antonio de Luna, an Aragonese supporter of Count James II of Urgell, assassinated the archbishop of Zaragoza, García Fernández de Heredía. There was fighting in the streets especially between partisans of Aragon and Valencia. Pope Bendict XIII (Avignon)
Antipope Benedict XIII
Benedict XIII, born Pedro Martínez de Luna y Pérez de Gotor , known as in Spanish, was an Aragonese nobleman, who is officially considered by the Catholic Church to be an antipope....
intervened and proposed a smaller group of nine compromisarios (negotiators).
The parliamentarians agreed, and on 15 February 1412 in the Concordia de Alcañiz they appointed the compromisarios who then met in Caspe near Zaragoza, to examine the rights of the pretenders. The compromisarios were:
- Domènec Ram, bishop of HuescaDiocese of HuescaThe Diocese of Huesca is located in north-eastern Spain, in the province of Huesca, part of the autonomous community of Aragón...
. - Francesc de Aranda, ancient royal councillor as well as envoy of Benedict XIII]].
- Berenguer de Bardaixí, jurist and official general of the Cortes of Aragón.
- Pere de Sagarriga i de Pau, archbishop of TarragonaArchdiocese of TarragonaThe Archdiocese of Tarragona is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory located in north-eastern Spain, in the province of Tarragona, part of the autonomous community of Catalonia...
. - Bernat de Gualbes, syndicus and councillor of BarcelonaBarcelonaBarcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
. - Guillem de Vallseca, officer general of the CortsParliamentA parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
Reials Catalanes. - Bonifaci FerrerBonifaci FerrerBoniface Ferrer , was a Carthusian monk, brother of Saint Vicent Ferrer, and translator of the first Bible into Valencian....
, prior of the monastery of Portaceli. - Vicent FerrerVincent FerrerSaint Vincent Ferrer was a Valencian Dominican missionary and logician.-Early life:Vincent was the fourth child of the Anglo-Scottish nobleman William Stewart Ferrer and his Spanish wife, Constantia Miguel. Legends surround his birth...
, Dominican monk, later canonized. - Pere Bertran (substitute for Gener Rabassa), citizen of ValenciaKingdom of ValenciaThe Kingdom of Valencia , located in the eastern shore of the Iberian Peninsula, was one of the component realms of the Crown of Aragon. When the Crown of Aragon merged by dynastic union with the Crown of Castile to form the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Valencia became a component realm of the...
and legal expert.
On 28 June 1412 by votes of three Aragonese, two Valencian and one Catalan, the compromisarios proclaimed the Castilian Infante as King Ferdinand I of Aragon
Ferdinand I of Aragon
Ferdinand I called of Antequera and also the Just or the Honest) was king of Aragon, Valencia, Majorca, Sardinia and Corsica and king of Sicily, duke of Athens and Neopatria, and count of Barcelona, Roussillon and Cerdanya...
.
Aftermath
James II, Count of Urgell, refused to accept the decision, and failed to present himself at the coronation. Ferdinand I entered into negotiations with James to prevent open warfare, but the negotiations failed, so Ferdinand I occupied castles and strong points in Urgell, and Ferdinand officially dissolved the County of Urgell in 1413 and the area came under the Count of Barcelona. There were uprisings in support of James in Valencia and Catalonia and James himself lead sorties out from his command headquarters in BalaguerBalaguer
Balaguer is the capital of the comarca of Noguera, in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain.It is located by the river Segre, a tributary to the Ebre....
. James's supporters were defeated in battle on 25 June 1413 outside of Lleida
Lleida
Lleida is a city in the west of Catalonia, Spain. It is the capital city of the province of Lleida, as well as the largest city in the province and it had 137,387 inhabitants , including the contiguous municipalities of Raimat and Sucs. The metro area has about 250,000 inhabitants...
. Antonio de Luna enlisted the support of Gascon
Gascony
Gascony is an area of southwest France that was part of the "Province of Guyenne and Gascony" prior to the French Revolution. The region is vaguely defined and the distinction between Guyenne and Gascony is unclear; sometimes they are considered to overlap, and sometimes Gascony is considered a...
and English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
troops who invaded at Jaca
Jaca
Jaca is a city of northeastern Spain near the border with France, in the midst of the Pyrenees in the province of Huesca...
but they were defeated on 10 July 1413, before being able to join with James's army. In August, Ferdinand began the siege of Balaguer. Meanwhile, Antonio de Luna had organized defenses in Huesca; however, the Castle of Montearagón
Castle of Montearagón
The Castle of Montearagón is a former fortress-monastery in Quicena, near Huesca, Aragon, Spain, built in the Romanesque style. It is presently in ruins....
was taken on 11 August, and he and his troops fled to Loarre Castle
Loarre castle
Loarre Castle is a fortress in Loarre, Spain. The complex was built largely during the 11th and 12th centuries, when its position on the frontier between Christian and Muslim lands gave it strategic importance. The first of the two major building programs began ca. 1020, when Sancho el Mayor ...
. In October 1413, James surrendered at Balaguer. The following January, Loarre Castle fell and the rebellion was over.
See also
- La fi del comte d'UrgellLa fi del comte d'UrgellLa fi del comte d'Urgell or Scriptura privada is an anonymous Catalan political tract written during the Catalonian Civil War by an enemy of king John II. Largely composed of personal stories, including that of the death of James II of Urgell, whose right to the throne is championed...
, a tractate in support of the dynastic line through James count of Urgell.