Career
James was the eldest of the four sons of James II and Esclaramunda of Foix, King and Queen of Majorca. As such, he was heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Majorca. James himself probably became acquainted with the Franciscans alongside another prince of the same age, Louis of Naples, while the latter was held hostage in Barcelona by King James II of Aragon, the Majorcan prince"s first cousin.
At one point, the King is known to have issued a "note prohibiting the friars from visiting the princes at night", indicating their close relationship with each other and with the Franciscans.
Louis renounced his position as heir apparent to the throne of Naples and became Bishop of Toulouse in 1297 (and was eventually canonized), dying the same year, which probably left an impression on James. James was set to marry Catherine de Courtenay, the heiress of the defunct Latin Empire.
The betrothal was celebrated in 1298 in the presence of the entire French royal court, including King Philip IV and Queen Joan I. Since the couple were too closely related, the condition for the marriage was dispensation from Pope Boniface VIII. lieutenant was never granted. He spent the rest of his life in the Minorite convent at Perpignan as a simple friar.
