343] THE PLEBISCITE IN ANCIENT AND FEUDAL TIMES 45 



France whose suzerainty he refused to recognize. As to 

 the result of his solicitations the authorities conflict. One 

 source states that Jayme succeeded in gaining the assist- 

 ance sought. Another, a contemporary report, claims, ac- 

 cording to Molinier, that, " to the contrary, the consuls and 

 notables remained neutral in the quarrel and only afflrmed 

 their respect for their two suzerains. "^^ We have here a 

 request for support, military or moral, or both, implying of 

 course a practical expression or manifestation of prefer- 

 ence for one side — the side seeking it. The possibility of a 

 choice is not implied in the request, though it is manifested 

 in the action of the consuls and notables showing a determi- 

 nation in the negative direction. 



The annexation of the Kingdom of Majorca to the King- 

 dom of Aragon in the year 1344 was the result of the war 

 between the two countries. To quote Molinier: 



The act uniting Roussillon and Cerdagne to the Kingdom of 

 Aragon was read in the Church of Saint Jean in the presence of the 

 people. The rest of the country seems to have submitted without 

 resistance, and within the following months the officers of Pierre 

 over-ran Conflent, Vallespir and Cerdagne, receiving the homage 

 of the nobles and the oaths of the communities. Later, Don Jayme 

 [King of Majorca] accuses his subjects of treason toward himself; 

 this term was perhaps too strong, but one must recognize that they 

 resigned themselves easily to this change of masters, either fearing 

 the power of Aragon or being weary of a struggle the issue of 

 which was certain in advance.'^* 



We have here a case of resignation without even the 

 pretense of an attempted self-determination in the form of 

 a plebiscite or otherwise. 



When the former King of Majorca was finally forced by 

 his indebtedness incurred in consequence of his three wars 

 with Aragon to sell his title to Montpellier to the King of 

 France, the latter legalized the sale by treaty. Molinier 

 mentions that "the sale was then confirmed by the children 

 to the King of Majorca." Whether the inhabitants of 

 Montpellier or the consuls and notables were consulted he 

 does not say." 



"» Molinier, p. 263. 

 "* Iliid., pp. 295-296. 

 *" Ibid., p. 300. 



