Published in New Approaches in the Research on the Crown of Aragon

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The Decree of Nova Planta (1707-1715) ends with civil alienation in the Catalan-Aragonese Crown and, by extension, in 1723, with ecclesiastic alienation in Aragon, València and Barcelona; but not in Mallorca, where it is preserved until 1808. Using unpublished documentary contributions based on the declarations of the councillors of the city of Palma in the plenary meeting of January 12, 1808, we analyze the reasons argued by the local authorities to continue with ecclesiastical alienation, as well as the arguments of those who, out of love for the new state, stood against it. The abolition of such right is placed within the framework of what dictates the royal cedula of June 23, 1768. We also review the significance for the extension of Spanish language in the dioceses of Barcelona and Palma, of the presence of two Andalusian bishops whose mandates coincided partially; namely, Gavino de Valladares (Barcelona, 1775-1794) and Juan Díaz de la Guerra (Palma, 1772-1777).