guardian of the realm during the king's absence. Earl John', and Geoffrey, archbishop of York, are forbidden to repair to England, for the space of three years.

Richard assembles his army at Tours, and thence marches to Vezelai, where he joins the French forces, July 1; embarks, with his personal attendants only, at Marseilles, August 7, coasts Italy, and arrives at Messina, Sept. 23.

The inhabitants of Messina, "commonly called Griffons', a wicked and cruel race, many of them of Saracen extraction," insult and injure the English crusaders. King Richard erects gibbets, and tries and executes the offenders; "for, esteeming the country of the guilty of no consequence, he considered every one his subjects, and left no transgression unpunished."

Richard seizes La Bagnara, a castle in Calabria, which he bestows on his sister for a residence, Oct. 1, and occupies a monastery on the straits of Messina as a stronghold, putting the garrison to death.

The Messinese continuing their attempts to destroy his troops, Richard assaults and captures the city "in less time than a priest could chant matins," Oct. 4. He also builds a stout wooden fortress on the hill overlooking the city, styling it Mategriffon, and supports his men with provisions from the fleet, the Messinese refusing all supplies.

Henry II., count of Champagne', is sent forward with a portion of the armament for the relief of Acre.

The kings of England and France quarrel, the latter siding with the Messinese.

Richard obliges Tancred to pay a heavy compensation to Queen Joanna, and in return engages to support him

on the throne ".

'Though John had been most generously treated, | the estates bestowed on him amounting to nearly one-third of the kingdom, he had already begun to intrigue against his brother.

A corruption of Greeks, by which name the inhabitants of southern Italy were generally known to, and despised by, the crusaders.

Joanna, the widow of William the Good, king of Sicily. She had been despoiled of her dower and imprisoned by Tancred, his successor.

He was the son of Mary, daughter of Queen Eleanor, by her first husband, Louis VII. of France, and consequently Richard's nephew.

He thus made an enemy of the emperor, Henry VI, who claimed possession of Sicily in

Richard celebrates the Christmas festival in splendid style at his castle of Mategriffon, and bestows liberal gifts on his people. "The knights were amply relieved, who had spent great part of their substance, the footmen and attendants received 100 sols each at least, and noble women of Palestine, whether widows or virgins, who had been despoiled of their inheritance and exiled, were bountifully enriched."

A.D. 1191.

The king grants a charter admitting Rye and Winchelsea to many of the privileges of the Cinque Ports", March 27.

The French force sails from Sicily, March 30, and arrives at Acre April 20. Queen Eleanor arrives at Messina with the princess Berengaria of Navarre.

The English fleet, which sails April 10, is scattered by storms. Richard reaches Rhodes April 22; his queen and sister are driven to Limasol, in Cyprus, but, distrusting the tyrant Isaac, do not land; others of his ships are seized and plundered.

Richard repairs to Cyprus, dethrones Isaac, confirms their ancient laws to the people, and appoints Richard de Camville and Robert de Turnham governors of the island, with directions to form magazines for the support of his troops in Palestine.

The king marries Berengaria, at Limasol, May 12; she is crowned the same day.

The fleet sails from Famagusta, June 3, and off Beyrout captures a very large Saracen vessel, June 7.

Richard arrives at Acre, June 8.

Both the kings fell ill almost immediately after their arrival at Acre, but they vigorously pushed on the siege, and King Richard especially exerted

right of his wife Constance, the aunt of Tancred. See Note, p. 112.

• He belonged to the imperial family of Constantinople, and having been appointed viceroy of the island in 1182, made himself independent, and ruled the people with great cruelty. Being defeated and captured by Richard, he was committed to the charge of the Hospitallers, and imprisoned at Margath, a fortress on the Syrian coast. The Cypriotes rose on their new governors and chose another of the Comneni for king, but he was taken and hanged. Isaac escaped after a while by bribing his guards, and endeavoured to establish himself in Asia Minor; he was at last poisoned by one of his attendants.

himself in constructing mangonels and other battering engines, by means of which the city was speedily reduced to extremity, as the English fleet blockaded the harbour, and cut off the supplies it was in the habit of receiving by sea.

Several partisans of Earl John take up arms; he arrives in England, and seizes the castles of Nottingham and Tickhill.

Acre is surrendered P, July 12. Hostages are given for the delivery of the cross (captured at Tiberias 9), the release of Christian prisoners, and the payment of a heavy ransom.

The kings of England and France quarrel about the claim of Conrad of Montferrat to the crown of Jerusalem'. The king of France, after taking an oath not to injure the king of England in his men and possessions in Europe, sails from Acre July 31, "receiving, instead of blessings, execrations and maledictions from the army."

Disputes arise with Saladin, when he murders his prisoners, Aug. 18. Richard retaliates by executing the hostages, marches out of the town, and prepares for his advance on Jerusalem, Aug. 20.

"During the two winters and one summer, and up to the middle of the autumn, when the Turks were beheaded (as they deserved to be)," says Richard of London, "in the sight of God and man, in return for the ruin of our churches and slaughter of our men, many of the Christians, who at great sacrifice had engaged in the siege of Acre, died. The common men of so great an army who perished appears to surpass computation, but the sum total of the chiefs a certain writer has thus estimated: We lost in the army six archbishops and patriarchs, twelve bishops, forty counts, and five hundred men of noble rank; we lost also a vast number of priests and others who cannot be counted."

Richard, after waiting two days outside the city for his men, many of whom are unwilling to join him, commences his march along the coast towards Ascalon, August 22, his fleet keeping company; the Saracens harass his march. He passes Cæsarea, and at Arsouf defeats the Saracens, Sept. 7. James of Avesnes being killed in the battle is solemnly buried the next day at Arsouf, "in the church of Our Lady the Queen of Heaven.”

Saladin destroys many of the fortresses, and Richard encamps at Joppa (Jaffa), Sept. 10. Many of his troops return to Acre, but are brought back.

Geoffrey, archbishop of York, comes to England, Sept. 14; he is seized and imprisoned by Longchamp, Sept. 19. Earl John espouses his cause, Oct. 4; Longchamp is expelled, Oct. 10, and retires to Normandy.

Richard, while hawking with a small escort, is surprised by the Saracens, and only escapes capture through the devotion of William de Pratellis (des Preaux), Sept. 29.

Richard advances towards Jerusalem, restores several of the ruined castles, and rescues a body of Templars from destruction by his personal efforts, Nov. 6.

Saladin makes overtures for peace.

Richard encamps at Ramla, and remains there six weeks; Saladin retires to Jerusalem. The Christians suffer much from bad weather, and their sick and wounded are waylaid and murdered. "But," says the Chronicler, "surely these are all to be accounted martyrs, and there is this consolation, that though the Turks slew them with evil intentions, yet they suffered but for a moment, and gained the reward of a long service."

A.D. 1192.

A council held, at which it is determined to abandon the march on Jerusalem, Jan. 13; the army retires

popular from his gallant defence of Tyre, (see A.D. 1187). Conrad married Isabel, the sister of Sibylla, and obtained the nominal kingdom, but was soon after assassinated.

He had long served in Palestine, and could speak the Saracenic language; he cried out that he was the melech (king), and was carried off. Richard gave ten Saracen chiefs in exchange for him, when about to quit the Holy Land.

The fortifications of Ascalon restored.

Richard receives intelligence of the proceedings of his enemies in Europe, and prepares for his return, April. Conrad of Montferrat chosen king of Jerusalem. He is assassinated at Tyre very shortly after, April 28. Henry of Champagne is chosen king of Jerusalem; when Richard bestows Cyprus on Guy.

the freedom of pilgrimage to Jerusalem established.

Various companies make the pilgrimage, and are kindly treated by Saphadin and Saladin, who control the fanaticism of their followers".

"When the count [Henry of Champagne] and the bishop [of Salisbury] had returned from the sacred places," says Richard of Devizes, "they endeavoured to persuade the king to go up; but the worthy indignation of his noble mind could not consent to re

The army resolve on the siege of Jerusalem, even though Richard should leave them.

Richard, being strongly exhorted by his chaplain, William of Poitiers, proclaims his intention (June 4,) of not quitting the army before the following Easter.

Richard sets out on his second march against Jerusalem, June 7. He encamps at Betenoble (about six miles from the city), June 11, and remains there until July 3; then, the capture of Jerusalem being found hopeless, he breaks up his camp, dismantles Darum, strengthens Ascalon and Joppa, and reaches Acre July 26.

Saladin attacks Joppa, July 26; he obliges the inhabitants to promise to surrender on August 1. On that day they are relieved by Richard, who restores their ruined walls.

Richard falls ill, and concludes a truce with Saladin, Sept. 2, according to which Ascalon is to be demolished, Joppa, with the sea coast as far as

Richard agreed to this truce with reluctance, for after it was concluded, "he sent ambassadors to Saladin, announcing to him that he had only asked this truce of three years for the purpose of revisiting his country, and collecting more men and money, wherewith to return and rescue all the land of Jerusalem from his domination." Saladin replied in terms of high commendation of Richard's

valour.

The first party of pilgrims, advancing without precaution, fell in with a large body of Turks, who, as Richard of London says, "grinned and frowned on them, and made them wish themselves back again at Acre." Saladin afterwards posted guards on the roads for their protection, but still they could only visit the holy places in haste and fear. "We saluted them with tears, and then we departed together with speed, for it was unsafe to go anywhere but in a body; the unbelievers secretly strangled three or four of our men who strayed into the crypts of the church on Mount Zion. The Turks spurned us from them, and we grieved over the pollution of the churches and sepulchres,

Richard sets sail from Acre, Oct. 9. "All night the ship sped on her way by the light of the stars, and when the morning dawned, the king looked back with yearning eyes on the land he had left, and after long meditation he prayed aloud, in the hearing of several, in these words; 'Oh! holy land, I commend thee to God; and if His heavenly grace shall grant me so long to live that I may, in His good time, afford thee assistance, I hope to be able to be some day a succour to thee' !'"

The king's fleet reaches Sicily, but his own vessel is driven to Corfu, Nov. 11; he is soon after shipwrecked in the upper part of the Adriatic, and attempts to make his way in disguise, as Hugh the merchant. He at length reaches Vienna, where, being recognised, he is seized by Leopold, duke of Austria 2, Dec. 20.

The emperor (Henry VI.) claims the custody of Richard, Dec. 28, and con

now used as stables by the infidels."

His queen, his sister, and the daughter of the dethroned tyrant Isaac, sailed with the main body of his fleet on Sept. 29, and landed in Italy soon after. They pursued their journey to Richard's castle of Chinon under the special charge of Stephen de Turnham, but did not reach it until May, 1194, as they had to remain six months in Rome, from fear of the emperor. Having at length reached Genoa, they took ship for Marseilles, where the king of Aragon (Alfonso II.) gave them his protection till they reached the lands of Raymond of Toulouse, who escorted them to Chinon, and subsequently married Queen Joanna.

y Richard of London.

Though this prince has rendered himself detested for this base act, he had greatly distinguished himself at the siege of Acre. He was ordered by the pope (Celestine III.) to return to the Holy Land, and serve there as long as the king had been kept in captivity (June 6, 1194), but he was unable to do so, as he was thrown from his horse in the following December, and died shortly after.

A.D. 1193.

Earl John surrenders part of Normandy to Philip and does homage to him for the remainder. Philip shortly after endeavours to seize the whole province.

Richard's prison is discovered by Longchamp. The queen-mother appeals to the pope (Celestine III.), who excommunicates his oppressors, but fails to obtain his freedom.

Richard is brought before the diet at Hagenau, after Easter (March 28), where he clears himself by oath from the murder of Conrad. A heavy sum is settled for his ransom, June 28.

Richard receives the nominal crown of Provence from the emperor, and does homage to him, Dec. 22.

Richard's ransom having been raised in England, Philip of France and Earl John promise large bribes to the emperor to keep him in prison. The emperor delays his release.

A.D. 1194.

The German princes compel the emperor, against his will, to release Richard, who is set at liberty", Feb. 4.

The English fleet is despatched to Antwerp for the king, and he lands at Sandwich March 20".

Richard captures the castle of Nottingham, and disperses the adherents of John.

Is a second time crowned at Winchester, April 17, the king of Scotland bearing a part in the ceremony.

Richard passes over to Normandy early in May. At the solicitation of

The whole of the ransom not being then raised (70,000 marks, equal to £600,000 at the present day), hostages were given for the remainder. The pope, however, interfered, and (June 6, 1194) commanded that they should be set at liberty, and the money received restored. Neither the duke nor the emperor would part with the money, though they dismissed the hostages. They both died shortly after (the duke killed by being thrown from his horse, Dec. 1194, and the emperor, Sept. 28, 1197), and their heirs were threatened with excommunication by Pope Innocent III. (May 30, 31, 1198) unless they made restitution; but it is not known that they did so.

b He was brought over in "Trenchemer," by Alan of Yarmouth, the same man and ship as had conveyed him to Palestine.

• This misfortune led in France to the abandonment of the practice of carrying all grants and charters about with the king. Commissioners were appointed, who laboured diligently to recover the

John and his adherents.

Marches against the king of France, defeats him at Fretteval, in the Orleanais, and captures the records of his kingdom, July 15. The French retire from Normandy, Touraine, and Maine, and beg a truce for a year, July 23.

David of Wales dies; he is succeeded by his nephew Llewelyn ap Jorwerth. A.D. 1195.

Hubert, archbishop of Canterbury, who is also papal legate and guardian of the realm, raises enormous sums of money for the war against France; William FitzOsbert (called commonly William with the Beard) inflames the discontent of the Londoners against him.

lost documents or procure copies of them from the grantees, and when this was accomplished they were deposited in the monastery of St. Denys, as the first Public Record Office, under the charge of Guy, archbishop of Sens.

The young prince was only in his tenth year, having been born March 29, 1187.

• He had served in the crusade, and shewn himself hostile to the English. He remained in confinement until Richard's death, when he was released by John for a ransom of 2,000 marks; his imprisonment, however, had not quenched his martial spirit, as he fought at the battle of Bouvines, and there captured William Longespee, earl of Salisbury, the natural brother of the king.

He planned it himself, personally superintended and urged on the workmen, and when it was completed within the year, he so admired it that he exclaimed, "My daughter of a year old, is she not a saucy castle?" (Chateau Gaillard, which name is still borne by its picturesque ruins.)