How did demographic changes during Castilian rule influence social structures and communities on Mallorca?

During the period of Castilian rule over Mallorca, which began in the 13th century following the conquest by King James I of Aragon, the island experienced significant demographic changes that deeply influenced its social structures and communities. The population saw a considerable influx of settlers from the Iberian Peninsula, primarily from Catalonia and Aragon, as the island was repopulated after the expulsion and displacement of its original Muslim inhabitants. This wave of Christian settlers brought with them their language, customs, religious practices, and social norms, which gradually reshaped the cultural and societal landscape of Mallorca.

The introduction of these new groups led to the establishment of feudal systems patterned after those on the mainland, with land divided among nobles, the Church, and royal authorities. This reorganization altered traditional power dynamics, anchoring social hierarchies around landownership and vassalage, which structured everyday life and local governance. The native agricultural communities were transformed through the introduction of new farming techniques and crops, while towns grew as centers of trade and administration, reflecting the growing influence of the Castilian and Aragonese elites.

Moreover, the demographic shift contributed to a complex layering of identities within the island’s population. The blend of the surviving Muslim population, converted Christians, and new settlers created a multifaceted social fabric marked by varying degrees of integration and tension. Christian religious institutions played a central role in solidifying the new social order, exerting influence over education, morality, and communal life. Over time, these changes laid the groundwork for Mallorca’s development as a strategic, economically vibrant part of the broader Crown of Aragon and later Spain, while also embedding a rich, diverse cultural heritage evident in its architecture, language, and traditions today.