THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN KINCDOl\IS 1200-1!100emerging which were a potential source of strength to a
revived monarchy. But it would also be wrong to exaggerate
the immediate success of the monarchy, which still stood a
long way from 'proto-absolutism' in its ability to command
its subjects; there was stiff opposition until 1398, and the con-
cessions to Catalan and Valencian landholders risked replac-
ing the old great families with a multiplicity of bountifully
franchised settlers. Martin's own parliaments in 1397 and
1398 made exactly this point: there were too many Catalans
being granted lands, and the monarchy needed to make
more effort to live of its own, which would mean an end to
the disbursement of royal rights and lands. Readjustment was
therefore slow and painful, and compromised by conflicting
interests. Often initiatives came fi·om below; this is perhaps
especially true of the foundation of new fairs.^6 Even Martin
I was distracted from his own kingdom into his father's ser-
vice, sailing at the end of his reign to Sardinia, a permanent
trouble spot, and dying there for Aragon, not for Sicily. Yet
this was also part of his achievement: the reintegration of
Sicily into the lands of the Corona d'Arag6 resulted in the
reopening of its markets to Catalan businessmen scared away
by internal strife; and the issue of the reincorporation of
Sicily into the Angevin realm disappeared from view.
SOUTHERN ITALY UNDER JOANNA I
The disorder which characterised Sicily in the fourteenth
century began also to characterise southern Italy after the
death of King Robert. The premature death of Duke Charles
of Calabria left Robert's grand-daughter, Joanna, as heiress
to the kingdom; the existing cadet male lines, those of Anjou-
Durazzo and Anjou-Taranto were passed over, and Joanna
was married to the younger brother of Louis the Great, the
Angevin king of Hungary. The result was that rivalries were
established within the house of Anjou; and they were accen-
tuated when the objectionable husband of Joanna, Andrew,
suffered defenestration in 1345. It is still unclear whether
Joanna was a conspirator in his murder. There were many
- Epstein, An island for itself; pp. 113-15.