The woorthy voiage of Richard the first, K. of England
into Asia, for the recoverie of Jerusalem out of the
hands of the Saracens, drawen out of the booke of Acts
and Monuments of the Church of England, written by
M. John Foxe.
KING RICHARD the first of that name, for his great valure
surnamed Ceur de Lion, the sonne of Henry the second,
after the death of his father remembring the rebellions that
he had undutifully raised against him, sought for absolution of his trespasse, and in part of satisfaction for the
same, agreed with Philip the French king to take his
voiage with him for the recoverie of Christes patrimonie,
which they called the Holy land, whereupon the sayd
king Richard immediately after his Coronation, to prepare himselfe the better towards his journey, used divers
meanes to take up summes of money, and exacted a tenth
of the whole Realme, the Christians to make threescore
and ten thousand pounds, and the Jewes which then
dwelt in the Realme threescore thousand.
Having thus gotten sufficient money for the exploite,
he sent certaine Earles and Barons to Philip the French
king in the time of his Parliament at S. Denis, to put
him in mind of his promise made for the recoverie of
Christs holy patrimonie out of the Saracens hands: To
whom he sent word againe in the moneth of December,
that he had bound himselfe by solemne othe, deposing
upon the Evangelists, that he the yeere next following,
about the time of Easter, had certainly prefixed to
addresse himselfe toward that journey, requiring him
likewise not to faile, but to bee ready at the terme above
limited, appointing also the place where both the Kings
should meete together.
In the yeere therfore 1190. King Richard having committed the government of this realme in his absence to the
bishop of Ely then Chancellor of England, advanced
forward his journey, and came to Turon to meet with
Philip the French king, & after that went to Vizeliac,
where the French king & he joyning together, for the
more continuance of their journey, assured themselves by
solemne othe, swearing fidelitie one to the other: the
forme of whose oth was this.
That either of them should defend and maintaine the
honour of the other, and beare true fidelitie unto
him, of life, members & worldly honor, and that
neither of them should faile one the other in their
affaires: but the French King should aide the King
of England in defending his land and dominions, as
he would himselfe defend his owne Citie of Paris if
it were besieged: and that Richard king of England
likewise should aide the French king in defending his
land and Dominions, no otherwise then he would
defend his owne Citie of Roan if it were besieged,
&c.
Concerning the lawes and ordinances appointed by K.
Richard for his Navie, the forme therof was this.
- That who so killed any person on shipboord, should
be tied with him that was slaine, and throwen into the sea.
- And if he killed him on the land, he should in like
maner be tied with the partie slaine, and be buried with
him in the earth.
- He that shalbe convicted by lawfull witnes to draw
out his knife or weapon to the intent to strike any man,
or that hath striken any to the drawing of blood, shall
loose his hand.
- Also he that striketh any person with his hand without effusion of blood, shall be plunged three times in
the sea.
- Item, who so speaketh any opprobrious or contumelious wordes in reviling or cursing one another, for
so oftentimes as he hath reviled, shall pay so many
ounces of silver.
- Item, a thiefe or felon that hath stollen being lawfully convicted, shal have his head shorne, and boyling
pitch powred upon his head, and feathers or downe
strawed upon the same, whereby he may be knowen, and
so at the first landing place they shall come to, there to
be cast up.
These things thus ordered, king Richard sending his
Navie by the Spanish seas, and by the streights of
Gibraltar
, betweene Spaine and Africa
, to meete him at
Marsilia, hee himselfe went as is said to Vizeliac to the
French king. Which two kings from thence went to
Lions, where the bridge over the flood Rhodanus with
preasse of people brake, and many both men and women
were drowned: by occasion whereof the two kings for
the combrance of their traines, were constrained to dissever themselves for time of their journey, appointing
both to meet together in Sicily
: and so Philip the French
king tooke his way to Genua
, and king Richard to Marsilia, where he remained 8. dayes, appointing there his
Navie to meete him. From thence crossing over to
Genua
where the French king was, he passed forward by
the coasts of Italy
, and entred into Tiber
not farre from
Rome.
King Richard staying in
Marsilia 8. dayes for his Navie
which came not, he there hired 20. Gallies, and ten great
barkes to ship over his men, and so came to Naples
, and
so partly by horse and wagon, and partly by the sea,
passing to Falernum, came to Calabria
, where after that
he had heard that his ships were arrived at Messana
in
Sicilie, he made the more speed, and so the 23. of
September entred Messana
with such a noyse of Trumpets
and Shalmes, with such a rout and shew, that it was to
the great wonderment and terror both of the Frenchmen,
and of all other that did heare and behold the sight.
To the said towne of Messana
the French king was
come before the 16. of the same moneth of September,
and had taken up the pallace of Tancredus king of Sicily
for his lodging: to whom king Richard after his arrivall
eftsoones resorted, and when the two kings had communed
together, immediately the French king tooke shipping and
entred the seas, thinking to saile towards the land of
Jerusalem: but after he was out of the haven, the winde
rising contrary against him, returned him backe againe to
Messana
. Then king Richard (whose lodging was prepared in the suburbs without the Citie) after he had
resorted againe and talked with the French king, and also
had sent to Tancredus king of Sicily
, for deliverance of
Joane his sister (who had bin somtimes Queene of Sicily）
and had obtained her to be sent unto him, the last day
of September passed over the streight del Fare, and there
getting a strong hold called de la Baguare, or le Bamare,
and there placing his sister with a sufficient garrison, he
returned againe to Messana
.
The 2. of October king Richard wan another strong
hold, called Monasterium Griffonum, situated in ye midst
of the streight del Fare, betweene Messana
& Calabria
,
from whence ye Monks being expulsed, he reposed there
all his store and provision of victuals, which came from
England or other places.
The Citizens of Messana seeing that the king of
England had wonne the castle and Island de le Baguare,
and also the Monasterie of the Griffons, and doubting
least the king would extend his power further to invade
their Citie, & get if he could the whole
Isle of Sicilie,
began to stirre against the Kings armie, and to shut the
Englishmen out of the gates, and kept their walles against
them. The Englishmen seeing that, made to the gates,
and by force would have broken them open, insomuch
that the King riding amongst them with his staffe, and
breaking divers of their heads, could not asswage their
fiercenesse, such was the rage of the Englishmen agaynst
the citizens of Messana. The King seeing the furie of his
people to be such that hee could not stay them, tooke
boate, and went to the pallace of king Tancred, to talke
of the matter with the French king, in which meane time
the matter was so taken up by the wise handling of the
ancients of the citie, that both parts laying downe their
armour, went home in peace.
The fourth day of the sayd moneth of October, came
to king Richard the Archbishop of Messana with two
other Archbishops also with the French king, and sundry
other Earles, Barons, and Bishops, to intreat of peace,
who as they were together consulting, and had almost
concluded upon the peace, the Citizens of Messana issuing
out of the towne, some went up upon the mountains, some
with open force invaded the mansion or lodging of Hugh
Brune an English captaine. The noyse whereof comming
to the eares of the King, hee suddenly breaking off talke
with the French king and the rest, departed from them,
and comming to his men, commanded them forthwith to
arme themselves. Who then with certaine of his souldiours making up to the top of the mountaine (which
seemed to passe their power to climbe) there put the
Citizens to flight, chasing them downe the mountaines,
unto the very gates of the citie, whom also certaine of the
kings servants pursued into the citie, of whom five valiant
souldiers & twentie of the kings servants were slaine, the
French King looking upon, and not once willing to rescue
them, contrary to his othe, and league before made with
the king of England: for the French king with his men
being there present, rode in the midst of them safely,
and without any harme too and fro, and might well have
eased the Kings partie, more then he, if it had so liked
him.
This being knowen to the English hoste how their
fellowes were slaine, and the Frenchmen permitted in the
citie, and that they were excluded and the gates barred
against them, being also stopped from buying of victuall,
& other things, they upon great indignation gathered
themselves in armes, brast open the gates, and scaled the
wals, and so winning the citie, set up their flags with the
English armes upon the wals: which when the French
King did see, he was mightily offended, requiring the
King of England that the Armes of France might also be
set up, & joyned with his: but King Richard to that
would in no case agree, notwithstanding to satisfie his
minde, he was contented to take downe his Armes, and to
commit the custodie of the citie to the Hospitalaries and
Templaries of Jerusalem, till the time that Tancred king
of Sicily
and he should agree together upon conditions.
These things being done the fift and sixt day of
October, it followed then upon the eight day of the same,
that peace was concluded among the kings. In which
peace, first king Richard, & Philip the French king
renewed againe their oth and league before made, concerning their mutual aide and societie, during the time
of that peregrination.
Secondly, peace also was concluded betweene king
Richard and Tancred king of Sicily
aforesaide, with conditions, that the daughter of Tancrede in case king
Richard should die without issue, should be married to
Arthur Duke of Britaine the kings Nephew and next
heire to his crowne, whereof a formall charte was drawen,
and letters sent thereof to Pope Clement being dated the
ninth of November.
From this time untill Februarie the next yeere these
two kings kept still at Messana
, either for lacke of winde
and weather, or for the repairing of their shippes. And
in the aforesayde Februarie, in the yeere 1191. King
Richard sent over his gallies to Naples
, there to meete his
mother Elinore, and Berengaria the daughter of Zanctius
king of Navarre, whom he was purposed to marry, who
by that time were come to Brundusium
, under the conduct
of Philip Earle of Flanders, and so proceeding unto
Naples
, they found the kings shippes wherein they sayled
to Messana
.
In this meane space, king Richard shewed himselfe
exceeding bounteous and liberall to all men: to the French
king first he gave divers shippes, upon others likewise
he bestowed riche rewardes, and of his treasure and
goods he destributed largely to his souldiers and servants
about him, of whom it was reported, that he distributed
more in one moneth, then any of his predecessors did in
a whole yeere: by reason whereof he purchased great love
and favour, which not onely redounded to the advancement of his fame, but also to his singular use and profite,
as the sequele afterward prooved.
The first day of March following, he left the citie of
Messana
, where the French King was, and went to Cathneia, a citie where Tancredus king of Sicily
then lay,
where he was honorably received, and there remained with
king Tancredus three dayes and three nights. On the
fourth day when he should depart, the aforesaid Tancredus
offred him many rich presents in gold and silver, and
precious silkes, whereof king Richard would receive
nothing, but one little ring for a token of his good will:
for the which king Richard gave againe unto him a riche
sworde. At length when king Richard should take his
leave, king Tancred would not let him so depart, but
needes would give him 4. great shippes, and 15. gallies,
and furthermore hee himselfe would needes accompanie
him the space of two dayes journey, to a place called
Tavernium.
Then the next morning when they should take their
leave, Tancredus declared unto him the message, which
the French King a little before had sent unto him by the
Duke of Burgundie, the contents whereof were these:
That the King of England was a false Traytour, & would
never keepe the peace that was betweene them: and if the
sayd Tancredus would warre against him, or secretly by
night would invade him, he with all his power would
assist him, to the destruction of him and all his armie.
To whom Richard the King protested againe, that he was
no traytour, nor never had bene : and as touching the
peace begun betwixt them, the same should never be
broken through him: neither could he beleeve that the
French King being his good lord, and his sworne Compartner in that voyage, would utter any such wordes by
him. Which when Tancredus heard, he bringeth foorth
the letters of the French king, sent to him by the Duke of
Burgundie, affirming moreover, that if the Duke of Burgundie would denie the bringing of the said letters, he
was readie to trie it with him by any of his Dukes. King
Richard receiving the letters, and musing not a little upon
the same, returneth againe to Messana
. The same day
that King Richard departed, the French king came to
Tavernium to speake with Tancred, and there abode with
him that night, and on the morowe returned to Messana
againe.
From that time King Richard mooved in stomacke
against King Philip, never shewed any gentle countenance
of peace & amitie, as he before was woont: whereat the
French king greatly marveiling, and enquiring earnestly
what should be the cause thereof, word was sent him
againe by Philip earle of Flanders from king Richard,
what words he had sent to the king of Sicily
, and for
testimony thereof the letters were shewed, which he wrote
by the duke of Burgundie to the king of Sicily
: which
when the French king understood, first he held his peace
as guilty in his conscience, not knowing well what to
answere. At length turning his tale to another matter,
he began to quarrell with king Richard, pretending as
though he sought causes to breake with him, and to
maligne him: and therfore he forged (sayd he) these lies
upon him, and all because he by that meanes would avoid
to marry with Alise his sister, according as he had promised. Adding moreover that if he would so do, and
would not marry the said Alise his sister according to his
oth, he would be an enemy to him, and to his, while he
lived.
To this king Richard sayd againe, that he could by no
meanes marry that woman, forsomuch as his father had
carnall copulation with her, and also had by her a sonne:
for proofe whereof he had there presently to bring forth
divers & sundry witnesses to the kings face, to testifie
with him.
In conclusion, through counsell and perswasion of
divers about the French king, agreement at last was
made, so that king Philip did acquite king Richard from
this bond of marrying his sister, and king Richard againe
should be bound to pay to him every yeere for the space
of five yeeres, two thousand markes, with certaine other
conditions besides, not greatly materiall for this place.
And thus peace being betweene them concluded the 28
day of the sayd moneth of March, the French king lanching out of the haven of Messana
, the 22 day after in
the Easter weeke, came with his armie to the siege of
Achon.
After the departure of the French king from Messana
,
king Richard with his armie yet remaining behinde,
arrived Queene Alinor the kings mother, bringing with her
Berengaria the king of Navars daughter, to be espoused
to king Richard: which being done, king Richard in
April following, about the 20 day of the sayd moneth,
departed from the haven of Messana
with 150 great ships,
and 53 great gallies well manned and appointed, and
tooke his journey toward Achon: who being upon the
Seas on Good friday about the ninth houre, rose a mighty
South winde with a tempest, which dissevered and
scattered all his Navie, some to one place, and some to
another. The king with a few ships was driven to the
Ile
of Creta, and there before the haven of Rhodes cast anker.
The ships that caried the kings sister, queene of Sicily,
and Berengaria the king of Navars daughter, with two
ships were driven to the
Ile of Cyprus.
The king making great mone for the ships of his sister,
and Berengaria his wife that should be, not knowing
where they were become, after the tempest was overblowen, sent forth his gallies diligently to seeke the rest
of his Navie dispersed, but especially the shippe wherein
his sister was, and the maiden whom he should marry,
who at length were found safe and merry at the port of
Lymszem in the
Ile of Cyprus, notwithstanding the two
other ships, which were in their company before in the
same haven, were drowned with divers of the kings
servants and men of worship, among whom was M.
Roger, called Malus Catulus, the kings Vicechancellour,
who was found with the kings seale hanging about his
necke.
The king of Cyprus
was then Isakius (called also the
Emperour of the Gryffons) who tooke and imprisoned all
English men, which by shipwracke were cast upon his
land, also invegled into his hands the goods and prises
of them which were found drowned about his coastes,
neither would suffer the ships wherein the two ladies were
to enter within the port.
The tidings of this being brought to king Richard, he
in great wrath gathering his gallies and ships together,
boordeth the land of Cyprus
, where he first in gentle
wise signifieth to king Isakius, how he with his English
men, comming as strangers to the supportation of the
holy land, were by distresse of weather driven upon his
bounds, and therefore with all humble petition besought
him in Gods behalfe, and for reverence of the holy crosse,
to let go such prisoners of his as he had in captivitie,
and to restore againe the goods of them that were drowned,
which he deteined in his hands, to be employed for the
behoofe of their soules. And this the king once, twise,
and thrise desired of the Emperour: but he proudly
answering againe, sent the king word, that he neither
would let the captives go, nor render the goods of them
which were drowned.
When king Richard heard this, how light the Emperour
Isakius made of his so humble and honest petition, & how
that nothing could be gotten without violent force, eftsoones giveth commandement thorowout all his hoste to
put themselves in armour and follow him, to revenge the
injuries received of that proud and cruell king of Cyprus
,
willing them to put their trust in God, and not to misdoubt but that the Lord would stand with them, and give
them the victory. The Emperour in the meane time with
his people stood warding the Sea coasts, where the
English men should arrive, with swords, billes, and lances,
and such other weapons as they had, setting boordes,
stooles, and chestes before them as a wall: few of them
were harnessed, and for the most part all unexpert and
unskilfull in the feates of warre.
Then king Richard with his souldiers issuing out of
their ships, first set his bowemen before, who with their
shot made a way for others to followe. The Englishmen
thus winning the land upon them, so fiercely pressed upon
the Gryffons, that after long fighting and many blowes,
at last the Emperour was put to flight, whom king
Richard valiantly pursued, and slue many, and divers
he tooke alive, and had gone neere also to take the
Emperour, had not the night come on and parted the
battell. And thus king Richard with much spoyle, and
great victory, returning to the port
Towne of Lymszem,
which the Townesmen had left for feare, found there great
abundance of come, wine, oyle and victuals.
The day after the victory gotten, Joanna the Kings
sister, and Berengaria the mayden, entred the Porte and
Towne of Lymszem, with 50. great ships, and 14.
galliots: so that all the whole Navie there meeting
together, were 254. tall shippes, and above threescore
galliots. Then Isakius the Emperour, seeing no way for
him to escape by Sea, the same night pitched his tentes
five miles off from the English army, swearing that the
third day after, he would surely give battell to king
Richard: but he preventing him before, suddenly the
same morning before the day of battell should be, setteth
upon the tentes of the Gryffons early in the morning, they
being unawares and a sleepe, and made of them a great
slaughter, insomuch that the Emperour was faine to
runne away naked, leaving his tents and pavilions to the
Englishmen, full of horses and rich treasure, also with
the Imperial standerd, the lower part whereof with a costly
streamer was covered, and wrought all with golde.
King Richard returning with victorie and triumph to
his sister and Berengaria, shortly after in the moneth of
May next following, and the 12. day of the said moneth,
married the said Berengaria daughter of Zanctius, king
of Navarre
, in the yle of Cyprus
at
Lymszem.
The king of Cyprus
seeing himselfe overmatched, was
driven at length to yeelde himselfe with conditions to give
king Richard 20000. markes in golde for amends of such
spoyles as he had gotten of them that were drowned, also
to restore all the captives againe to the king: and furthermore, he in his owne person to attend upon the king to
the lande of Jerusalem, in Gods service and his, with
400. horsemen, and 500. footemen: in pledge whereof
he would give to his hands his castles, and his onely
daughter, and would hold his kingdome of him.
This done, and the Emperour swearing fidelitie to king
Richard before Guido king of Jerusalem, and the prince
of Antioche
(who were come thither to king Richard a
little before) peace was taken, and Isakius committed to
the warde of certaine keepers. Notwithstanding shortly
after he breaking from his keepers, was againe at defiance
with the King: whereupon king Richard besetting the
Iland of Cyprus round about with shippes and gallies, did
in such sort prevaile, that the subjects of the land were
constrained to yeelde themselves to the King, and at last
the daughter of the Emperour, and the Emperour himselfe, whom king Richard caused to be kept in fetters of
gold and silver, and to be sent to the citie of Tripolis.
These things thus done, and all set in order touching
the possession of the
Ile of Cyprus, the keeping whereof
he committed to Radulphe soone of Godfrey Lord
Chamberlaine, being then the first day of June upon the
fift of the saide moneth, king Richard departed from the
Ile of Cyprus, with his shippes and gallies toward the
siege of Achon, and on the next morrowe came to Tyrus
,
where by procurement of the French king he was restrained
by the Citizens to enter. The next day after, which was
the first day of June, crossing the seas, he met with a
great carak fraught with souldiers and men of warre to
the number of a thousand and five hundred, which pretending to be Frenchmen, and setting foorth their flagge
with the French armes, were indeede Saracens, secretly
sent with wilde fire and certaine barrels of unknowen
serpents to the defence of the towne of Achon, which king
Richard at length perceiving, eftsoones set upon them
and so vanquished them, of whom the most were drowned
and some taken alive: which being once knowen in the
citie of Achon, as it was a great discomfort to them, so
it was a great helpe to the Christians for winning the
citie.
The next day after which was the seventh of June, king
Richard came to Achon, which at that time had bene
long besieged by the Christians. After whose comming
it was not long, but the Pagans within the citie, seeing
their wals to be undermined and towers overthrowen,
were driven by composition to escape with life and limme,
to surrender the citie to the two kings.
Another great helpe to the Christians in winning the
citie, was this. In the said city of Achon there was a
secret Christian among the Saracens, who in time of the
siege thereof used at sundry times to cast over the wals
into the campe of the Christians, certaine bils written in
Hebrue, Greeke, and Latine, wherein he disclosed to the
Christians from time to time, the doings and counsels of
the enemies, advertising them how and what way they
should worke, and what to beware, and alwayes his letters
began thus. In nomine Patris, & Filii, & Spiritus sancti
Amen. By reason whereof the Christians were much
advantaged in their proceedings: but this was a great
heavines unto them, that neither he would utter his name,
nor when the citie was got did they ever understand who
he was.
To make of a long siege a short narration. Upon the
twelfth day of July the yeere aforesaid, the Princes and
Captaines of the Pagans, upon agreement resorted to the
tent of the Templaries to commune with the two kings
touching peace, and giving up of their citie: the forme of
which peace was thus.
- That the Kings should have the citie of Achon
freely and fully delivered unto them, with all which was
therein.
- That 500. captives of the Christians should be
restored to them, which were in Achon.
- That the holy crosse should be to them rendred,
and a thousand Christian captives with two hundreth
horsemen, whosoever they themselves would chose out
of all them which were in the power of the Saladine.
- That they would give unto the Kings two hundreth
thousand Bysants, so that they themselves should remaine
as pledges in the Kings hands, for the performance hereof,
that if in fortie daies, the aforesayd covenants were not
accomplished, they should abide the Kings mercie touching life and limme.
These covenants being agreed upon, the Kings sent
their souldiers and servants into the citie, to take a
hundreth of the richest & best of the city, to close them
up in towers under strong keeping, & the residue they
committed to be kept in houses and in streetes, ministring
unto them according to their necessities: to whom notwithstanding this they premitted, that so many of them as
would be baptized and receive the faith of Christ, should
be free to goe whither they would: wherupon many there
were of the Pagans, which for feare of death pretended
to be baptized, but afterward so soone as they could,
revolted againe to the Saladine: for the which it was
afterward commanded by the Kings, that none of them
should be baptized against their wils.
The thirteenth day of the said moneth of July, King
Philip of France, and king Richard, after they had
obteined the possession of Achon, devided betweene them
all things therein conteined as well the people as golde
and silver, with all other furniture whatsoever was
remaining in the citie: who in deviding the spoyle, were
so good carvers to themselves that the Knights and
Barons had but litle to their share, whereupon they began
to shew themselves somewhat discontented, which being
knowen of the kings, they sent them answere that their
wils should be satisfied.
The twentieth day of July, king Richard speaking with
the French King, desired him that they two with their
armies, would binde themselves by othe to remaine there
stil in the land of Jerusalem the space of 3. veeres, for
the winning and recovering againe of those countreys:
but he sayd he would sweare no such othe, and so the
next day after king Richard with his wife and sister entred
into the citie of Achon, and there placed himselfe in the
kings pallace: The French king remayning in the houses
of the Templaries, where he continued till the end of that
moneth.
About the beginning of the moneth of August, Philip
the French king after that he and King Richard had made
agreement betweene Guido & Conradus the Marques,
about the kingdome of Jerusalem, went from Achon to
Tyrus
, notwithstanding king Richard & all the Princes
of the Christian armie with great intreatie desired him
to tary, shewing what a shame it were for him to come
so farre, and now to leave undone that for which he
came, and on the 3. day of August departed from Tyrus
,
leaving the halfe part of the Citie of Achon, in the hands
of the aforesayd Conradus Marques.
After his departure the Pagans refused to keepe their
covenants made, who neither would restore the holy
Crosse nor the money, nor their captives, sending word
to king Richard, that if he beheaded the pledges left
with him at
Achon, they would choppe off the heads of
such captives of the Christians, as were in their hands.
Shortly after this the Saladine sending great gifts to
king Richard, requested the time limited for beheading
of the captives to be proroged, but the king refused to
take his gifts, and to graunt his request, whereupon the
Saladine caused all the Christian captives within his
possession forthwith to be beheaded, which was the 28.
of August: which albeit king Richard understood, yet
would not he prevent the time before limitted for the
execution of his prisoners, being the 20. day of August:
upon which day he caused the prisoners of the Saracens
openly in the sight of the Saladines armie to loose their
heads: the number of whom came to two thousand and
five hundreth, save onely that certaine of the principal
of them he reserved for purposes and considerations,
especially to make exchange for the holy Crosse, and
certaine other of the Christian captives.
After this king Richard purposed to besiege the Citie
of Joppe, where by the way betwene Achon and Joppe,
neere to a towne called Assur
, Saladine with a great
multitude of his Saracens came fiercely against the kings
rereward, but through Gods mercifull grace in the same
battell, the kings warriers acquited themselves so well,
that the Saladine was put to flight, whom the Christians
pursued the space of 3. miles, & he lost that same day
many of his Nobles & Captaines, in such sort (as it was
thought) that the Saladine was not put to such confusion
40. yeres before, and but one Christian Captaine called
James Avernus in that conflict was overthrowen.
From thence king Richard proceeding further went to
Joppe, and then to Ascalon
, where he found first the
citie of Joppe forsaken of the Saracens, who durst not
abide the kings comming: Ascalon
the Saladine threw
downe to the ground, & likewise forsooke the whole land
of Syria
, through all which land the king had free passage
without resistance: neither durst the Saracene Prince
encounter after that with K. Richard. Of all which his
atchevances the sayd K. Richard sent his letters of certificate as well into England, as also to the Abbot of Clara
valle in France, well hoping yt he God willing should be
able to make his repaire againe to them by Easter next.
Many other famous acts were done in this voyage by
these two Kings, and moe should have bene, had not they
falling into discorde dissevered themselves, by reason
whereof Philip the French king returned home againe
within short space: who being returned againe eftsoones
invaded the countrey of Normandy
, exciting also John
the brother of king Richard, to take on him the kingdome
of Englande in his brothers absence: who then made
league upon the same with the French king, and did
homage unto him, which was about the fourth yeere of
king Richard. Who then being in Syria
, and hearing
thereof, made peace with the Turkes for three yeeres
and not long after, king Richard the next spring following
returned also, who in his returne driven by distresse of
weather about the parts of Histria
, in a towne called
Synaca, was there taken by Lympold, Duke of the same
countrey, and so solde to the Emperour for sixtie thousand
Markes: who for no small joy thereof, writeth to Philip
the French king, these letters here following.
The letter of the Emperour to Philip the French king,
concerning the taking of King Richard.
“HENRICUS Dei gratia Romanorum Imperator, & semper
Augustus, Dilecto & speciali amico suo, Philippo illustri
Francorum Regi salutem, & sincerae dilectionis affectum.
Quoniam Imperatoria Celsitudo non dubitat Regalem
Magnificentiam tuam laetiorem effici, de universis quibus
omnipotentia creatoris nostri nos ipsos, & Romanum
Imperium honoraverit & exaltaverit, nobilitati tuae tenore
praesentium declarare duximus, quod inimicus Imperii
nostri, & turbator Regni tui Rex Angliae, quum esset in
transeundo mare ad partes suas reversurus, accidit ut
ventus rupta navi sua, in qua ipse erat, induceret eum
in partes Histriae ad locum qui est inter Aquileiam, &
Venetias. Ubi Rex, Dei permissione passus naufragium
cum paucis evasit.
Quidam itaque fidelis noster Comes, Maynardus de
Grooxce, & populus regionis illius, audito quod in terra
erat, & considerato diligentius, qualem nominatus Rex in
terra promissionis proditionem & traditionem, & perditionis
suae cumulum exercuerat, insecuti sunt, intendentes eum
captivare. Ipso autem Rege in fugam converso, ceperunt
de suis octo milites : Postmodum processit Rex ad Burgum
in Archiepiscopatu Salseburgensi, qui vocatur Frisorum,
ubi Fridericus de Betesow, Rege cum tribus tantum versus
Austriam properante, noctu sex milites de suis coepit:
Dilectus autem Consanguineus noster Lympoldus Dux
Austriae, observata strata saepe, dictum Regem juxta
Denam in villa viciniori in domo despecta captivavit.
Cum itaque in nostra nunc habeatur Potestate, & ipse
semper tua molestavit, & turbationis operam praestiterit,
ea quae praemisimus, nobilitati tuae insinuare curavimus :
scientes ea dilectioni tuae bene placita existere, animo tuo
uberrimam importare laetitiam. Datum apud Ritheountum
5. Kalendas Janua.
”
King Richard being thus traiterously taken, and solde
to the Emperour by the Duke of Austridge for 60000.
markes, was there kept in custodie a yeere and 3.
moneths.
In some stories it is affirmed, that King Richard returning out of Asia, came to Italy
with prosperous winde,
where he desired of the Pope to be absolved of an othe
made against his will and could not obteine it: and so
setting out from thence towards England, passing by the
Countrey of Conradus the Marques, whose death (he
being slaine a litle before) was falsly imputed by the
French king to the king of England, there traiterously
was taken (as is aforesayde) by Limpoldus duke of
Austridge.
Albeit in another storie I finde the matter more credibly
set forth: which saith thus. That king Richard slewe
the brother of this Limpoldus, playing with him at Chesse
in the French Kings Court: and Limpoldus taking his
vantage, was more cruel against him and delivered him
(as is sayde) to the Emperour. In whose custodie he
was deteined during the time above mentioned, a yeere
& 3 moneths. During which time of the kings endurance,
the French king in the meane season stirred warre in
Normandie
: and Earle John the Kings brother, made
stirre and invaded England, but the Barons and Bishops
of the land mightily withstood him.
At length it was so agreed and concluded with the
Emperour, that king Richard should be released for a
hundreth and foure thousand pound: of which money
part should remaine to the Duke of Austridge, the rest
should be the Emperours. The summe of which money
was here gathered and made in England of chalices,
crosses, shrines, candlestickes and other Church plate,
also with publike contribution of Friers, Abbots, and other
subjects of the Realme: whereof part was presently paid,
and for the residue remaining, hostages and pledges were
taken, which was about the fift yeere of his reigne: and
then it was obteined of the Pope, that Priestes might
celebrate with Chalices of latten and tinne.
At what time this aforesaide money was payde, and
the hostages given for the ransome of the King, I have
an olde historic which saith, that the aforesaid Duke of
Austridge was shortly after plagued by God, with 5.
sundry plagues.
First, with the burning of his chiefe Townes.
2. With drowning of tenne thousand of his men in a
flood happening no man can tell how.
3. By turning all the eares of his corne fieldes into
wormes.
4. By taking away almost all the Nobles of his land
by death.
5. By breaking his owne leg falling from his horse,
which leg he was compelled to cut off with his owne
hands, and afterwards died of the same: who then at
his death is reported to forgive K. Richard 50000. marks,
and sent home the hostages that were with him. And
further a certaine booke intituled Eulogium declareth,
that the sayd Limpoldus duke of Austrich fell in displeasure with the bishop of Rome, and died excommunicate
the next yeere after, Anno 1196.
But thus, as you have heard, Richard the King was
ransomed & delivered from the covetous captivitie of
the Emperor, and returning home made an ende of his
voyage for Asia, which was both honourable to himselfe
and to all Christian states, but to the Saracens the enemies
of Christianitie, terrible and dishonourable.
This historie of King Richards voiage to Jerusalem is
very excellently and largely written in
Latine by
Guilielmus Neobrigensis, and Roger Hoveden.
Epitaphium Richardi primi regis Anglorum apud fontem
Ebraldi.
SCRIBITUR hoc auro, rex auree, laus tua tota
aurea, materiae conveniente nota.
Laus tua prima fuit Siculi, Cyprus
altera, Dromo
tertia, Caruanna quarta, suprema Jope.
Retrusi Siculi, Cyprus
pessundata, Dromo
mersus, Caruanna capta, retenta Jope.
Epitaphium ejusdem ubi viscera ejus requiescunt.
VISCERA KAREOLUM, corpus fons servat Ebraldi,
& cor Rothomagus, magne Richarde, tuum.
