Pyrenees Oriental and Languedoc in the Middle ages

The French emperor Charlemagne tried to invade Zaragossa ( see also the Roncevaux episode) in 778 AD. When this failed the refugees fled to the Languedoc where they saw a more liberal and tolerant society. At this time the idea of "aprision" was introduced. Essentially anyone who farmed previously fallow royal land for 30 years would become the legal owner.

The following abbeys and monastries were built at this time

Saint-Andre-de Vallespir

Saint Andre de Sureda

Arles-sur-Tech

Saint-Michel-de- Cuixa

Guillem became the Duke of Toulouse, but the Muslim overlords were still active in Languedoc.

The Marquisate of Goth as the area became known stretched from Barcelona up to the Cerdagne and the Conflent. It was also linked into Roussillon and the area formerly known as Septimania.

Subsequently this area was shared between three children of Sunifred the 1st.

Miro

Radulf

Guifred or El Pelut - the hairy one.

The feudal age arrived along with the Knights Templar who had their base at Mas Deu in Trouillas.

From 993 AD the Roussillon Counts settled at Perpignan. The Church at Saint-Jean le Vieux was consecrated in 1025 AD and in 1090 AD Villefranche - de - Conflent was built.

Girart II was the last of the Roussillon Counts. When he died he decided to disinheret his family.( 1172 AD)

Roussillon was passed to his old rival Alphonse I, Count of Barcelona

Besalu and the Cerdagne were passed to the King of Aragon.

The Fortress at Salses was built by Alphonse I. But note the current structure was built later in 1497.

The son of Alphonse, Pierre II ,"the catholic", reigned from 1196 to 1213 and built Perpinya in 1197.

His 5 year old son then became James I, "the conqueror".