Treaty of Torrellas facts for kids
The Treaty of Torrellas was an important agreement signed in 1304 in a town called Torrellas. It was also known as a "sentence by arbitration," which means a decision made by a neutral person to settle a disagreement. This treaty helped to decide who would control the Kingdom of Murcia, a region that had been part of the Crown of Castile.
Before the treaty, James II of Aragon, the king of the Crown of Aragon, had taken control of Murcia. Between 1296 and 1300, King James led several military actions in Murcia. He managed to take over all the land north of the Segura River, including the city of Murcia itself. However, the city of Murcia was later given back to Castile. King James also invaded lands belonging to the Lordship of Villena.
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Why the Treaty Was Needed
The kings needed to sort out their borders because King James II of Aragon had conquered parts of the Kingdom of Murcia. This region was originally under the control of the Crown of Castile. The fighting and changes in control made it important to draw clear lines on the map.
Who Was Involved in the Treaty?
In 1304, King James II of Aragon met with Ferdinand IV of Castile, the king of the Crown of Castile. Their goal was to set new borders between their two kingdoms, especially in the region of Andalusia.
What the Treaty Decided
The Treaty of Torrellas led to an exchange of cities and lands. The Crown of Aragon gained control of many areas north of the Segura River. King James also kept a part of the Villena region.
However, this treaty did not completely solve all the border issues. It didn't create a final, clear border between the two kingdoms. A more complete agreement was made the following year with the Treaty of Elche.
A Historical Quote About the Treaty
A famous historical book called Crónica de Ramon Muntaner talks about the Treaty of Torrellas. It says:
And the king of Aragón gave the kingdom of Murcia back to King Don Fernando. But he kept the part he had conquered. This part had been given by his grandfather, King James I of Aragon, as a wedding gift for his daughter to Don Manuel of Castile, who was the brother of King Alfonso X of Castile. Since that lady passed away without children, the land should have gone back to the king of Aragón. But because King James I was good friends with his son-in-law, King Alfonso, and with Infante Don Manuel (who was also his son-in-law), he let Don Manuel keep the land. Now, the current king of Aragón wants it back, and he has a right to it. So, in this peace treaty, he will get it back. This includes places like Alicante, Elche, Aspe, Petrer, the Valley of Elda and Novelda, and la Mola, Crevillente, Abanilla, Callosa, Orihuela, and Guardamar.
See also
- List of treaties
- Treaty of Alcaraz
- Treaty of Almizra
- Treaty of Cazola
Sources
- Bibliography
