[1] His youth was spent in the Catalan Civil War fighting for John II of Aragon alongside his father and Prince Ferdinand of Girona.
[1] The same year he clashed with the Royal family through his marriage to Aldonza Enríquez, aunt of Prince Ferdinand, endowed with the incomes of Elche and Crevillent.
As the grandson of James II of Urgell, the rebellious authorities of the Principality considered his candidacy for the crown before offering it to René of Anjou in 1466, but the Constable remained loyal to the Trastàmara's and continued fighting for them.
[1] On the death of his father, in 1486, he was made Count of Cardona and Prades and Baron of Entença.
In 1491 he was made Marquis of Pallars and 1st Duke of Cardona, dignities until then reserved for princes of the blood.