The Story of Majorca and MinorcaMarkham, Clements R. (Clements Robert), Sir
History
The Story of Majorca and Minorca
Markham, Clements R. (Clements Robert), Sir
Balearic Islands (Spain) -- History
With the aid and consent of these nobles and of the Jurados, Jayme II.
founded several towns which have continued to flourish to this day. One
of the first was Felanitx, on the plain to the east of the capital. The
next was Santañi, on the estate of Sant Marti; and the King, owing to
the want of water, caused large cisterns to be constructed. Binisalem,
near Inca, was founded, and is now a centre of apricot cultivation.
Porreras, Sineu, and Manacor were also founded; the latter is now a
flourishing town and a centre of the vine industry. Lluchmayor, the
scene of his grandson’s fatal overthrow, was also founded by this
King. These towns formed markets and homes for the farmers of the
surrounding districts.
King Jayme next established a coinage, which for its purity and
accuracy of weight was very highly esteemed in all the Mediterranean
commercial marts. Gold coins began to be issued in 1310, but none are
now known to exist. The silver reals and double reals are handsome
coins. They are excessively rare. The silver coinage began to be issued
in 1300. The Mint-master was Bernardo de Oleza, whose arms were gules a
rose argent. The rose appears on each side of the crowned head, and in
the four angles of the cross on the reverse of the silver money.[12]
The representatives of the people agreed to pay a tax, called
_fogatje_, for the support of the mint, assessed on all houses having
hearths.
A pure currency is a great aid to commerce, and the trade of Majorca
increased rapidly under the auspices of En Jayme. Shipbuilding
progressed, and the rich and fertile soil began to yield abundant
crops. The cultivation of olive-trees, though many of them now present
such an extraordinarily antiquated appearance, was introduced into the
island by the Catalans, and not by the Arabs.[13] The raising of stock
also received much attention from the King, who in this as in other
measures for the prosperity of the island, was well supported by his
‘Ricos hombres.’
The ‘Almudaina,’ or alcazar of the Moors, is a huge bastille on the
right of the landing-place. The lofty walls still stand, enclosing
a large space, with square towers at intervals. The exterior has
undergone considerable modern alterations, but it is still quite easy
to make out the appearance of the original building. King Jayme II.
brought artists and expert artificers from Perpignan to convert this
ancient alcazar of the Almudaina into a palace. The royal apartments
were decorated with paintings and bas-reliefs, the beautiful oratory
of Santa Ana was built as the royal chapel, pleasant balconies were
erected, and gardens were laid out in the courts and on the terraces.
The sculptor François Camprodon was employed to adorn the halls and
gardens with statues. A code of palace etiquette was drawn up, and the
Majorcan Court was ceremoniously conducted, while at the same time it
was a home of pleasure and festivity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account