Treaty_of_Torrellas
Treaty of Torrellas
1304 treaty between Castile and Aragon
The Treaty of Torrellas (called a sentencia arbitral, "sentence by arbitration," in Castilian), signed in Torrellas on 8 August[citation needed] 1304, settled the question of conquest of the Kingdom of Murcia, thitherto a dependency of the Crown of Castile, by James II of Aragon. The agreement favored the Crown of Aragon, straining ties.[1]
Between 1296 and 1300, James led a series of military operations in Murcia with the intention of conquering a large zone between Elda in the north and Huércal-Overa in the south,[citation needed] with him occupying all territory above the Segura, and Murcia, which was returned to Castile.[2] He also invaded lands of the Lordship of Villena.[3]
James got together with Ferdinand IV of Castile in 1304 to fix new borders between their two states in Andalusia. Cities were exchanged, with Aragon being awarded many north of the Segura,[4] and James retained a portion of Villena.[3] However, the treaty did not establish a definitive border, something promulgated next year by the Treaty of Elche.[5]
And the king of Aragón restored the kingdom of Murcia to King Don Fernando, except for the part he had conquered, that his grandfather, King James I, had given as a dowry for his daughter to Don Manuel, the brother of King Alfonso of Castile. And since that lady died without children, the land had to be returned to the king of Aragón and because of King James's great friendship with his son-in-law, King Alfonso, and with Infante Don Manuel, who was also his son-in-law, he allowed Don Manuel to keep the land. And now the king of Aragón wants it back and by rights and with reason; and thus in this peace treaty, he will recover it, that is, Alicante, Elche, Aspe, Petrer, the Valley of Elda and Novelda, and la Mola, Crevillente, Abanilla, Callosa, Orihuela, and Guardamar.
