Origins & Early Life

James II (Catalan: Jaume II; Aragonese: Chaime II; Spanish: Jaime II; 10 April 1267 or c. 1264 – 2 or 5 or 3 November 1327), called the Just, was the King of Aragon and Valencia and Count of Barcelona from 1291 to 1327. He was also the King of Sicily (as James I) from 1285 to 1295 and the King of Majorca from 1291 to 1295. From 1297 he was nominally the King of Sardinia and Corsica, but he only acquired the island of Sardinia by conquest in 1324.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His full title for the last three decades of his reign was "James, by the grace of God, king of Aragon, Valencia, Sardinia and Corsica, and count of Barcelona" (Latin: Iacobus Dei gratia rex Aragonum, Valencie, Sardinie, et Corsice ac comes Barchinone). Born at Valencia, James was the second son of Peter III of Aragon and Constance II of Sicily. He succeeded his father in Sicily in 1285 and his elder brother Alfonso III in Aragon and the rest of the Spanish territories, including Majorca, in 1291. In 1295 he was forced to cede Sicily to the papacy, after which it was seized by his younger brother, Frederick III, in 1296. Two years later rom Pope Boniface VIII returned the island to the king of Majorca along with rights to Sardinia and Corsica...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Giotto — Contemporary (Born in 1267) (1267): Pioneering Italian painter and architect who bridged the Gothic and Early Renaissance styles.
• Roger de Flor — Contemporary (Born in 1267) (1267): Italian military adventurer and condottiere, famed for leading the Great Catalan Company.
• Adah Isaacs Menken — Shared historical date (08-10 · Died) (1868): American actress, painter, and poet known for sensational stage performances.
• Antonio Banderas — Shared historical date (08-10 · Born) (1960): Esteemed Spanish actor celebrated for his versatility across film and stage.
• Aga Khan III — Shared historical date (11-02 · Born) (1877): 48th Imam of the Nizari Isma'ili community and founder of the All-India Muslim League.
• Anupam Tripathi — Shared historical date (11-02 · Born) (1988): Indian actor based in South Korea, known for roles in K-dramas and films.
• Daniel of Galicia — Historical peer (Died in 1264) (1264): Prince of Galicia and King of Ruthenia, a key figure in Rurikid revival.
• Rudolf I of Germany — Historical peer (Died in 1291) (1291): First Habsburg King of the Romans, expanding noble power and restoring imperial order.
• Yekuno Amlak — Historical peer (Died in 1285) (1285): Founder of the Solomonic Dynasty and Emperor of Ethiopia (1270-1285)
• Bayan of the Baarin — Historical peer (Died in 1295) (1295): Prominent Mongol general who played a key role in the Yuan dynasty's conquest of Southern China.
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• 1327 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1327
• November 2 (11-02) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 2