The unfortunate James now solicited a safe conduct, and throwing himself at the feet of the victor, implored forgiveness in consideration of kinship. He might as well have appealed to a rock. He was informed that if he would surrender Perpignan, that still held out for him, he would experience his brother-in-law’s clemency. He consented; but no sooner was Peter in possession that he declared Roussillon annexed in perpetuity to Aragon. The estates met, and offered James a miserable indemnity of 10,000 French crowns. He indignantly refused the offer. The Pope so far interfered as to obtain the release from prison of his wife Constance, and of James his eldest son. Unable to bear adversity with patience, in 1349 he sold to the French king his lordship of Montpellier, and with the money received raised 3000 foot soldiers and 300 horsemen, in the wild hope of reconquering his kingdom. With this small force he embarked, and made a descent on Majorca, but was deserted by the mercenaries when his funds gave out, and in a battle against great odds was killed, and his son James was wounded and taken prisoner. This prince had been married to Joanna I, Queen of Naples, who had murdered her first husband. Fearing to meet with the same fate, and disgusted with her levity, he had left Naples and had thrown in his lot with his father. For twelve years he languished in prison, effected his escape in 1362, and died of chagrin in 1375. [Illustration: James I K. of Aragon | +---------------+--------------------+ | | Peter III James I K. of Aragon and Sicily K. of Majorca _d._ 1285 _d._ 1311 | | +---------+--------+ +----------+--------+ | | | | Alphonso III James II Sanchez Ferdinand _d._ (_s.p._) 1291 K. of Aragon K. of Majorca _d._ 1318 resigned 1319 _d._ (_s.p._) 1324 | _d._ 1327 | | | Alphonso IV | K. of Aragon | _d._ 1336 | | | +---+-------------------------+ | | | | Peter IV Constance = James II K. of Aragon | K. of