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Queen feared that Lord John had made an agreement with Philip of France to deprive Richard of the throne of England. The King, after much searching of his spirit, had said he would attempt to take Jerusalem but, whatever befell, he would return home after Easter 1193. |
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Once more the army marched toward the Holy City. On the way two caravans that provided much needed supplies and much desired loot were captured. This had greatly lifted the men's spirits, but the King grew sadder and sadder. |
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"He is wise enough," Simon wrote, "to see that even if we take the city, it cannot be held. Where are the thousands of men to garrison it to be found? How can supplies be brought through a land teeming with hostile people?" |
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The great soldier won over the religious fanatic. Richard turned his back upon a dream of many years, upon his greatest dream of glory. Ignoring the scurrilous songs the French contingents produced about his personal perversions, except to compose even funnier and more obscene ones about their cowardice and stupidity, the King began to negotiate in earnest with Saladin. Agreement was easily reached about the more northern cities. These would remain unmolested in Christian hands. Darum and Ascalon, however, endangered Saladin's route to Egypt and he insisted they should be abandoned and demolished. |
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Richard promptly evacuated and destroyed Darum, perhaps it had ugly memories for him, but he wished to keep Ascalon. He returned to Acre to consult with Henry of Champagne and the other Latin princes in comfort. Unfortunately, this provided neither relief nor pleasure for Simon and Alinor. Richard and his wife had one private meeting from which Berengaria emerged so hysterical that Joanna and Alinor could not leave her. She would not tell them what had been said, for which Alinor at least was profoundly grateful, |
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