Crown of Aragon: Mediterranean Expansion & Medieval Society

Crown of Aragon's Expansion in the Mediterranean

The expansion of the Crown of Aragon in the Mediterranean was based on successful long-distance trade with Italy, North Africa, and the East. From the 13th century, the city of Barcelona was the main driver behind this trade. The areas of greatest commercial interest for the Crown of Aragon were southern Italy, North Africa, and the ports of Syria and Egypt. Despite the commercial interests of the Mediterranean route, the military expeditions undertaken by the Aragonese monarchs were often motivated by dynastic issues.

The main steps of the Aragonese expansion were:

• The conquest of Valencia and the Balearic Islands by James I.
• The conquest of Sicily by Peter III (1282), which brought about war with France and the House of Anjou.
• Influence in North Africa, which resulted in the obligation of a covenant with Castile, whose sphere of influence was centered in present-day Morocco.
• The conquest of Sardinia by James II (1323-1324): the maintenance of the island was very costly for Aragon because of constant rebellions and a war, because Genoa encouraged naval openness.
• The actions of Almogavars (veterans of the wars of Sicily) in the East, who looted several Greek islands and controlled the principalities of Athens and Neopatria, placing them under the sovereignty of the Crown of Aragon until the late 14th century.
• The conquest of Naples by Alfonso V. After taking Naples in 1442, the King of Aragon focused on Mediterranean politics and never again set foot on the Iberian Peninsula.

Demographic Crisis, Economic and Social Development in the Middle Ages

The population and economic growth that had characterized the Christian kingdoms between the 11th and 13th centuries abruptly stopped in the 14th century because of:

• Recurrent famines: Due to crop failure from weather conditions, causing direct mortality and weakening of the population.
• Epidemics: These often occurred after periods of starvation and were favored by the absence of hygienic and sanitary measures. The most notable case was the Black Death in 1348.
• Civil wars and feudal violence: Wars were usually accompanied by the clearance of vineyards, the destruction of crops, and livestock theft, which increased famine. The realms of Navarre and the Crown of Aragon, and within it, Catalonia, were most affected. Valencia and Seville experienced significant growth and continued to receive immigrants.

Agricultural crops shifted to industrial and commercial networks. The crisis promoted the development of the fisheries sector, and there was an expansion of trade. There was an increase in the power of lordships, which emerged with the power to force councils and dedicate themselves to the control of municipalities and urban councils serving the crown or mercantile activities. Anti-seigneurial peasant resistance took place, and the persecution of Jews, known as the anti-Semitic movement, occurred.