The Third Crusade! What a production! The Lion heart is playing the biggest part!
‘I gotta say! Thanks dad!
I was not always a good lad!
There were times when I acted awful bad and made you feel sad!
But! Right now you! Yes you, have made me feel, well so, so real glad!
With the Saladin Tithe, you left with me one mighty purse!
With that I will go to the Holy Land and remove this dreadful curse!’
Henry II’s ‘Saladin Tithe’ had brought in much needed revenue for Richard’s proposed middle eastern military project. However, as countless leaders of every nationality have discovered, foreign affairs have an irritating habit of throwing up expenses of a totally unexpected and extremely costly nature. As the talented military commander that he was, Richard was only too aware of this, so he decided that there was to be no taking of chances. On this one he had to be sure. So, what to do? The newly crowned king raised funds through a massive sell-off of castles, titles and lands with which to augment the ‘Saladin Tithe.’ In fact, he is reputed to have said:
‘I would sell London if I could find a buyer.’
By the following year, Richard had assembled a large army and a huge fleet with which to convey his forces to Palestine.
Richard and his occasional ally, King Philip Augustus, decided to make the crusade a joint venture. However, a certain frostiness had latterly crept into their relationship. The French king had asked for some lands from Richard that he believed were rightfully his. Richard did not agree and ensured that the defences in the disputed territories were strengthened in order to repel any attack which might come from the French crown.
Philip Augustus being crowned in the presence of Richard’s father, Henry II.
At this time, Richard was betrothed to Philip Augustus’s sister, Alice. One might think that this fact would have engendered a little chuminess between the two monarchs. I n the long run it would prove to be the source of further conflict.
In July 1190, Richard’s grand army sailed from England and the governance of the kingdom was assigned to the capable William de Longchamp for the duration of the royal absence.
‘Richard with his great military host would travel east!
There in the Holy Land they would slay the infidel beast!
This noble deed was to be done in God’s name!
Failure to do so would bring unspeakable shame!
Victory there would ensure the Lionheart’s eternal fame!’
Richard’s army would travel by sea to the eastern Mediterranean because it would be quicker than by following the overland route. Nevertheless the voyage would mean a large number of men living at very close quarters enduring the rigours of intense heat, maggot-ridden food, stagnant drinking water and debilitating seasickness. Under such conditions, tempers will inevitably become frayed. Richard was determined to keep discipline tight and misdemeanours to an absolute minimum.
Richard’s fleet on the high seas en route for Palestine.
By all accounts this particular Mediterranean cruise went off without a hitch. The punishment for slaying a fellow crusader was to be tied to the victim’s body and then cast overboard.
The first stop of significance would be in Messina in Sicily. It concerned his favourite sister Joan, who was the widow of William II, King of Sicily.
‘Hello, Joan my sis!
You, I really do miss!’
I just can’t wait to give you an affectionate, brotherly kiss!’
Here Richard had business of a most personal nature. The new king, Tancred had treated Joan in the most appalling manner, keeping her as a prisoner. The Lionheart was extremely close to Joan, so recriminations were inevitable.
Tancred, King of Sicily.
‘You have been bad to my lovely sister Joan!
Keeping her locked up, confined, all alone!
For this, I am sure going to make you moan and groan!
It might even mean you losing your lousy Sicilian throne!’
Joan of England
Richard’s presence precipitated Joan’s immediate release from confinement. Now Richard made Tancred pay a hefty price for his ungallant conduct towards his sister, and this provided further resources with which to fight the Saracens.
‘ Your Sister! Your sister!
She! She’s your skin and blister!’
The Lionheart now behaved in a considerably less than gallant fashion towards the sister of Philip Augustus to whom he had long been betrothed. He informed Philip that he was breaking off the engagement to Alice, as he had found a rather more suitable bridal proposition.
‘Sorry Phil, but sister Alice can never live as queen in my royal palace!
I do not wish to appear callous,
So please do not react with any act of malice!
You know, just as we sweeten bitter offerings with a little honey!
So likewise please, in good faith accept this gift of money!’
The French king was outraged at this insult to his sister, but the forces under his command were no match for those at the Lionheart’s disposal. Richard softened the blow by giving Philip 10,000 marks to compensate for his lack of gallantry. Philip had no choice but to reluctantly agree. Thereafter, the relationship between the two monarchs would be characterised by an almost tangible coolness.
His business in Sicily completed, Richard departed the island on March 30th 1191.