Bugron saw that he could offer but feeble resistance against the ambition of his brother. So he sent messengers to King Peter to inform him that he wished to become a Christian and a subject of the crown of Aragon. This message brought great joy to the heart of the king, who immediately began to build many ships to transport a large army to Africa. So extensive were his preparations that the lords and princes, Christians as well as Saracens, who held territory along the seas, became alarmed, for he told no one what he intended to do. The English king, the French king, and the Pope made inquiries, but he would not reveal his plans. Not until the expedition was far out upon the sea did the commanders of the ships receive instructions as to their destination. When Bugron was informed that the army of the King of Aragon was on its way, he became elated and disclosed to some of his intimate friends what he purposed to do, whereupon they arose in great wrath and cut off his head. King Peter’s army landed at Alcoyll, not far distant from Bugia. The king was shocked when he heard of Bugron’s tragic death, but he concluded, nevertheless, to stay there and wage war upon the Saracens. Fortifications were immediately constructed. Formidable forces of Moors came to attack the Christians, but were always repulsed. Troops from the vast Aragonese army made incursions into the surrounding country, and soon none of the enemy could be found for miles around. King Peter was highly pleased with this excellent beginning, and it did not seem to him that the conquest of all Barbary would be a difficult task if the Pope would only furnish sufficient money to pursue the undertaking to a successful issue. Accordingly he sent an ambassador to Rome to secure this necessary financial assistance. Let us quote a few lines of the ambassador’s petition to the Pope:
[79] Pare sanct, mon senyor lo rey En Pere Darago vos fa saber quell es en Barbaria en un lloch qui ha nom Alcoyll, e troba que per aquell lloch pot auer tota la Barbaria. Si vos, pare sanct, li volets fer ajuda de diners e de perdonança, sera aço complit de la major part auans que llonch temps sia. E la Barbaria es aytal, que qui haura les marines si haura tota la Barbaria. E son gents qui tantost com vejen lo gran destret que hauran se faran chrestians la major part.