erty through the
charter granted to it by William the Conqueror (S107). Every town was
now anxious to obtain a similar charter.

The three great objects which the citizens of the towns sought were:

(1) To get the right of paying their taxes directly to the King.
(2) To elect their own magistrates.
(3) To administer justice in their own courts in accordance with laws
made by themselves.

The only way to gain these privileges was to pay for them. Many of
the towns were rich, and, if the King or lord needed money, they
bargained with him for the favors they desired. When the agreement
was made, it was drawn up in Latin and stamped with the King's seal
(S154). Then the citizens took it home in triumph and locked it up as
the safeguard of their liberties, or at least of some part of them.

Thus, the people of Leicester, in the next reign, purchased from the
Earl of Leicester, their feudal lord, the right to decide their own
disputes. For this they payed a yearly tax of threepence on every
house having a gable on the main street. These concessions may seem
small, but they prepared the way for greater ones.

What was still more important, these charters educated the citizens of
the day in a knowledge of self-government. The tradesmen and
shopkeepers of these towns did much to preserve free speech and equal
justice. Richard granted a large number of these town charters, and
thus unintentionally made himself a benefactor to the nation.[1]

[1] Rise of Free Towns: By 1216 the most advanced of the English towns
had become to a very considerable extent self-governing. See
W. Stubbs's "Constitutional History of England."

184. Failure of the Third Crusade.

The object of the Third Crusade (S182) was to drive the Mohammedans
from Jerusalem. In this it failed. Richard got as near Jerusalem as
the Mount of Olives. When he had climbed to the top, he was told that
he could have a full view of the place; but he covered his face with
his mantle, saying, "Blessed Lord, let me not see thy holy city, since
I may not deliver it from the hands of thine enemies!"

185. Richard taken Prisoner; his Ransom (1194).

On his way home the King fell into the hands of the German Emperor,
who held him captive. His brother John (S177), who had remained in
England, plotted with Philip of France to keep Richard in prison while
he got possession of the throne. It is not certainly known how the
news of Richard's captivity reached Eng