They would give an aid,
they would find contingents, they would serve in person; always on the
understanding that each should share in the spoils proportionately to the size
of his contingent. The Archbishop of Tarragona, speaking for the clergy, said
that now at last his eyes had seen the salvation of the Lord. He could not
serve; he was too old for that; but his men and his money were the King's for
this sacred undertaking, and he would gladly give a dispensation to any bishop
or abbot who would go with the King; always provided that the clerical Crusaders
were to share in the booty on the same terms as the laymen. To the same
purpose, with the same stipulation, spoke the trading-cities.
The expedition
was a brilliant success. Majorca was reduced by the efforts of the whole
expedition; Minorca capitulated without a struggle; and the Archbishop of
Tarragona, by special licence from the King, conquered Ivica for himself. But
the Moors were neither extirpated nor converted. Those of Majorca became the
tenants of the Crusaders between whom that island was divided. Those of Minorca
paid an annual tribute to the King. In both islands they were guaranteed the
use of their native customs and religion. Surveying the Crusade many years
after it was completed, James expresses the highest satisfaction with the results.
From Minorca he receives not only the agreed tribute, but whatever else he
chooses to demand. As for Majorca, the Lord has so increased it that it
produces twice as much as in the days of Moorish rule.
