Palma de Mallorca had become joint capital…

Palma de Mallorca had become joint capital of the Kingdom of Majorca after the death of James I of Aragon, with Perpignan inherited by his son, James II of Majorca.

James had allied with Pope Martin IV and king Philip III of France (the widower of his sister, Isabella) against his brother in the Aragonese Crusade, but had been defeated in the Battle of Les Formigues in 1285.

His nephew Alfonso III of Aragon had annexed the Balearic Islands to Aragon in the conquest, but they had been returned by the Treaty of Anagni in 1295.

Following this reversion, James has made an effort to improve the viability of the kingdom on the domestic front.

He has devoted himself to running his kingdom by reforming urbanism, establishing agricultural policy, emphasizing defense, and reforming the economy.

He has implemented a vast policy of agricultural colonization with the creation of rural centers; increase royal rents; favored the creation of consulates in North Africa and the Kingdom of Granada; created a new monetary system for the kingdom; fomented the creation of textile industries; proceeded to increase the power of the crown over that of the nobility and the Church; and championed the construction of statues, monuments, palaces and castles, including the palace at Perpignan.

His projects in Palma include the circular Bellver Castle, the churches of St. Francesc and St. Domingo, and the transformation of the former Muslim palace of the Banu Ganiya, at the edge of the port, into the Palace of Almudaina.

The king also continues the construction of La Seu, the Cathedral of Santa María at Majorca, begun by his father on the site of an existing Arab mosque.

Designed in Spanish Levantino Gothic or southern French Gothic style with influences of the North European Gothic, plans for La Seu include a giant arcade and a French semicircular chevet.

Almudaina Palace.

The opening of criminal proceedings against the Knights Templar and their later suppression has allowed the seizure of the tithes of the Templars on the islands.

When James dies in 1311, his eldest son, James renounces his claim to became a Franciscan monk; thus, his second son by Escalaramunda de Foix, daughter of Roger IV, count of Foix, inherits the throne as King of Majorca, Count of Roussillon and Cerdanya, and Lord of Montpellier.