The still insecure population moved to Trinitarians of Barefoot Mercy, order dedicated to the redemption of captives, to settle in the locality as it had in other nearby locations. Nonetheless, the settlements continue to be unstable disappearing ancient medieval villages such as San Miguel de Arca de Buey and population decrease in the core as consequence of a plague epidemic in 1602. This critical stage contrasts with that of later centuries, especially when in the 18th century, there develops great part of Cartaya's current urban plot in spite of the presumable destructions (as in the conventual building) of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.