The Mercenary Mediterranean_ Sovereignty, Religion, and Violence in the Medieval Crown of Aragon - Hussein Fancy

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Templars and jenets could convey “profit and honor.” While perhaps only

rhetorical in intent, Berenguer unflinchingly invoked “the mercy of Our

Lord” in the victory over the Granadan cavalry.

In an equally enthusiastic tone, Jaume wrote letters to congratulate

both Berenguer and al- ‘Abbās on their victory “by the grace and mercy

of God” and to praise them for their service and fidelity.^107 He urged them

both to continue to defend his territory against its enemies. The king also

acknowledged the losses that al- ‘Abbās suffered during these battles and

promised that further supplies would be sent to the jenets.

Did al- ‘Abbās and his troops share the attitude that the raid was a mat-

ter of shared profit and honor? Did they see their actions as a legitimate?

The consequences of the May raid must have troubled the jenets. Almost

immediately, Granada launched a devastating sea attack on Valencia,

causing panic throughout the kingdom.^108 As before, the threat of a Mus-

lim invasion had a direct and negative effect on the Mudéjar population.

In June, Jaume wrote to Bernat de Libia, the royal bailiff of Valencia —

who earlier had feared a Mudéjar uprising. On this occasion, the king

ordered his bailiff to protect the Muslim population from local attacks

and to reassure the Mudéjares that they would not be punished for any

conspiracies ( per raho daquels parlamens que avien hauts) that they had

with al- ‘Abbās. In offering this forgiveness, Jaume was hoping to divide

the Mudéjares and the jenets and to defuse the potential for rebellion.^109

In order to further appease the Mudéjares, Jaume ordered the release

of Alhaig, the preacher he had earlier imprisoned for incitement.^110 For

his part, al- ‘Abbās also worked to relieve the tension. He offered to free

a Muslim captive that he had taken from Granada, presumably a valu-

able one, in exchange for 220 or more Christians recently seized by the

Granadan army.^111 Peace with Granada, however, could not be restored.^112

Aragonese reinforcements arrived at the Valencian frontier in prepara-

tion to meet another massive Granadan assault. Al- ‘Abbās’ raid along-

side the Templars, in other words, became an excuse for violence between

Muslims and Christians on every level. Collaboration produced divisive

results.

With open war on the horizon, Jaume’s alliance with al- ‘Abbās col-

lapsed. In July, the procurator of Murcia, Pere de Montegut, who gathered

al- ‘Abbās’ hostages earlier, wrote to Jaume II.^113 He informed the king

that the Marīnid ruler, Abū Ya‘qūb, had sent messengers to al- ‘Abbās,

ordering him and his soldiers to return to Fez immediately.^114 In spite of

their strident independence, the Ghuzāh remained under the authority