ure of the English monarchy, and put up everything for sale to buy arms forthe crusade. Yet he had not become king to preside over the dismemberment of the Angevin Empire. He brokewith Philip and didnt neglect Angevin defenses on the Continent. Open war was averted only because Philipalso took the cross. Richard dipped deep into his fathers treasure and sold sheriffdoms and other offices. Withall this, he raised a formidable fleet and an army, and in 1190 he departed for the Holy Land, traveling throughSicily.Richard found the Sicilians hostile, and took Messina by storm(October 4). To prevent the GermanEmperor Henry VI from ruling their country, the Sicilians had elected the native, Tancred of Lecce, who hadimprisoned the late kings wife, Joan of England(Richards sister), and denied her possession of her dower. Bythe Treaty of Messina, Richard obtained for Joan her release and her dower, acknowledged Tancred as king ofSicily, declared Arthur of Brittany(Richards nephew)to be his own heir, and provided for Arthur to marryTancreds daughter. This treaty infuriated the Germans, who were also taking part in the Third Crusade, andit incited Richards brother, John, to treachery and rebellion. Richard joined the other crusaders at Acre on June8, 1191, conquered Cyprus on his way there. While at Limassol in Cyprus, Richard married(May 12)Berengariaof Navarre.Acre fell in July 1191, and on September 7, Richards brilliant victory at Arsuf put the crusaders inpossession of Joppa. Twice Richard led his forces to within o few miles of Jerusalem. But the recapture of thecity, which constituted the chief aim of the Third Crusade, eluded him. There were fierce quarrels among theFrench, German, and English contingents. Richard insulted Leopold V, duke of Austria, by tearing down hisbanner and quarreled with Philip Augustus, who returned to France after the fall of Acre. Richards candidatefor the crown of Jerusalem was his vassal, Guy de L...
