KING RICHARD THE FIRST ad. 



1191, 



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 EHnore, 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 PhiHp 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 pre- 

 decessors did in a whole yeere : by reason whereof he 

 purchased great love and favour, which not onely re- 

 dounded 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 



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