Page "Peter IV of Aragon" Paragraph 9

The legal process being terminated, Peter went to war, on the advice that the islanders were burdened by taxes and would readily rise in his support.

In May a fleet which had been blockading Algeciras landed at Majorca and quickly defeated James ' army at the Battle of Santa Ponça.

Peter received the submission of all the Balearics and confirmed the privileges of the islands as they had been under James I.

Though James sued for peace and Pope Clement attempted to mediate it, Peter returned to Barcelona prepared to invade Roussillon and Cerdagne.

After these were finally conquered in 1344 James surrendered on a safe conduct, only to find himself ignominiously reduced to the status of a petty lord.

In March Peter had declared his realm incorporated into the Crown of Aragon in perpetuity and ceremoniously had himself crowned its king.