JAMES

n.

Spanish Jaime known as James the Conqueror

born Feb. 2, 1208, Montpellier, County of Toulouse

died July 27, 1276

King of Aragon and Catalonia (1214–76).

The most renowned of the medieval kings of Aragon, he was educated by the Knights Templar , and his great-uncle ruled as regent until 1218. James helped to subdue rebellious nobles and took over the government of his kingdoms in 1227. He reconquered the Balearic Islands (1229–35) and Valencia (1233–38) but renounced his claims to lands in southern France. He also helped Alfonso X to suppress a Moorish rebellion in Murcia (1266), and he undertook an unsuccessful Crusade to the Holy Land (1269).