The Heart of the Lion - Plaidy Jean (читать книги бесплатно полностью без регистрации сокращений txt) 📗

Richard said that was nonsense and erected a gallows opposite his house.

‘Let all men beware how they conduct themselves,’ he decreed. ‘I shall have no mercy on those who offend my laws.’

People trembled before him. Sicilian babies were frightened by the warning: ‘King Richard will have you if you are not a good child.’ He was called The Lion, and in contrast the French King was given the nickname of The Lamb.

In spite of Richard’s severity trouble continued to break out. The Sicilians complained that the crusaders seduced their wives and daughters and swaggered about the town as though they owned it.

Philip thought they should not linger and that while they did so the men would be restive but Richard refused to think of leaving until he had satisfaction from Tancred. He wanted the dowry or its equivalent in money and treasure and he was going to have it or go to war.

Philip watching the situation shrewdly knew that Eleanor was waiting for the command to come to her son bringing with her Berengaria of Navarre. It was amusing to contemplate how little enthusiasm Richard appeared to have for the marriage. He was far more interested in getting even with Tancred. Of course there was Alice. How was Richard going to break free of the bonds which bound him to Philip’s sister? Philip was well aware that Richard would refuse to marry Alice and he knew why. Who would wish to marry a woman who had been his father’s mistress and borne him a child? But he was affianced to her.

The amusing angle was that although Richard did not want to marry Alice he did not seem eager to marry Berengaria either.

The fact was that Richard did not want to marry.

He would be quite happy to sail away to Acre without Berengaria and . . . with Philip.

When Richard received Tancred’s reply to his demand for the return of his sister’s dowry he was filled with rage, for Tancred quite clearly had no intention of returning the treasures.

‘He must be taught a lesson,’ cried Richard.

Philip who had been with him when Tancred’s reply was delivered urged him not to be rash; but Richard was not one to pause when his anger was aroused. Tancred had defied him and was trying to cheat him out of what he considered was his by right. Tancred therefore must be made to understand that he could not flout the King of England.

Ignoring Philip’s advice, Richard gathered his forces together and took possession of a fort and a monastery. The latter he intended to use as a storehouse; but the operation was to bring home to Tancred and the Sicilians that when Richard of England was not treated with the respect to which he was due that was the time to beware.

Tension was rising. Richard’s crusaders now believed that they were like a conquering army. They swaggered through the market places; there were stories of their forcing their attentions on unwilling women, robbing the Sicilians of their goods and behaving in a manner which was sooner or later going to destroy the peace. They assumed that as they were crusaders on their way to a holy war whatever misdemeanours they were guilty of would be forgiven in the eyes of Heaven because of their cause.

The Sicilians were not, of a nature to accept this conduct uncomplainingly and it was not long before violence broke out. This began with a trivial incident. A party of crusaders walking through the market place saw a woman selling bread. One of them took one of the loaves and when the woman demanded payment refused it. She tried to snatch the bread from him and several of the stall-holders came to her rescue. In a very short time there was a riot. The citizens gathered together against the intruders and armed with sticks and stones began to fight. The crusaders retaliated and soldiers began marching on the city although they had had no orders to do so.

When he saw what was happening Richard tried to call a halt to his army, but they were now determined on conquest and even Richard riding among his men found it difficult to call them to order.

Finally this was achieved but the incensed populace was determined to be revenged and large numbers of them prepared to attack the English camp. Richard placed himself at the head of his troops and drove the people back to the town; but this was not enough for him. These people had dared attempt to menace his soldiers. They must be taught a lesson. He marched into Messina.

The fighting was fierce and during it five of Richard’s knights and twenty men-at-arms were killed. The sight of their men lying dead infuriated the crusaders and they gave vent to their fury. That night they forgot their holy mission entirely; they were soldiers, far from home, determined to satisfy their lustful desires. They stormed the town pillaging, robbing and setting fire to the boats in the port.

When dawn came it was seen that they had set up the English standard on the walls of the city.

When he arose that morning Philip saw the flag and he was angry. Richard went too far. How could the French who had their quarters in the town allow the English to fly their flag in such a manner? It was an admission of their superiority over their allies.

He sent a messenger at once to the Villa Muschet and asked that Richard come to him. It was some time before Richard appeared. Philip marvelled when he saw him. He was fresh and alert; none would have guessed that he had been fighting far into the night. Battle stimulated Richard; there was no doubt of it. It was inactivity which he found hard to endure.

‘This is a sorry state of affairs,’ said Philip.

‘You think so?’

‘I do indeed.’ He slipped his arm through Richard’s and drew him to the window. He pointed to the English standard flying on the city wall. ‘That will not do.’

‘Methinks it does very well. It is an indication to these people that they must not insult me or my people.’

‘It would appear that your soldiers insulted them in the first place.’

‘They were over-sensitive.’

‘We are engaged in a Holy War. We cannot waste lives and money on petty battles such as this.’

‘We need to rest here. We need to refit our ships which have been damaged in the storm. We are engaged in a holy cause and Christians on the way must succour us in friendship. If they do not it is war.’

‘You are always so quick to take offence. Sometimes I think you live for your battles.’

‘I am a soldier, Philip.’

‘It seems sometimes you forget you are a king. That is something I never do. That is why I tell you that standard must come down.’

‘It stays where it is.’

‘Nay, Richard, it comes down.’

‘Tancred has to be shown that I mean what I say. If he does not pay me my dues I will take them. I will subdue the entire island. I shall not allow him to treat me and mine with impunity.’

‘This is no quarrel with Tancred. It is a dispute between your soldiers and the people. They resent them here and I am not surprised at that. Would you care for foreign soldiery on your lands, swaggering through the market places taking what they wished, insulting the women . . . ?’

‘These people attempted to march on my camp.’

‘Because your men were making life intolerable for them. No matter, take that standard down.’

‘Is that a command?’

‘It is.’

‘And who is the King of France to command the King of England?’

‘I do not command the King of England, but the Duke of Normandy, who has sworn fealty to me as his liege lord.’

‘You are unjust.’

‘Nay, within my rights. Richard, we are together in an enterprise which needs all our skill and courage. Do not try our friendship too far. French troops are stationed here. How can they be content to rest under the English standard?’