the autumn of 1190, and all the
winter of 1190-91, no longer seeming to think of anything but quarrelling
and amusing themselves. Nor were grounds for quarrel or opportunities
for amusements to seek. Richard, in spite of his promise, was unwilling
to marry the Princess Alice, Philip's sister; and Philip, after lively
discussion, would not agree to give him back his word, save "in
consideration of a sum of ten thousand silver marks, whereof he shall pay
us three thousand at the feast of All Saints, and year by year in
succession, at this same feast." Some of their amusements were not more
refined than their family arrangements, and ruffianly contests and
violent enmities sprang up amidst the feasts and the games in which kings
and knights nearly every evening indulged in the plains round about
Messina. One day there came amongst the crusaders thus assembled a
peasant driving an ass, laden with those long and strong reeds known by
the name of canes. English and French, with Richard at their head,
bought them of him; and, mounting on horseback, ran tilt at one another,
armed with these reeds by way of lances. Richard found himself opposite
to a French knight, named William des Barres, of whose strength and valor
he had already, not without displeasure, had experience in Normandy. The
two champions met with so rude a shock that their reeds broke, and the
king's cloak was torn. Richard, in pique, urged his horse violently
against the French knight, in order to make him lose his stirrups; but
William kept a firm seat, whilst the king fell under his horse, which
came down in his impetuosity. Richard, more and more exasperated, had
another horse brought, and charged a second time, but with no more
success, the immovable knight. One of Richard's favorites, the Earl of
Leicester, would have taken his place, and avenged his lord; but "let be,
Robert," said the king: "it is a matter between him and me;" and he once
more attacked William des Barres, and once more to no purpose. "Fly from
my sight," cried he to the knight, "and take care never to appear again;
for I will be ever a mortal foe to thee, to thee and thine." William des
Barres, somewhat discomfited, went in search of the King of France, to
put himself under his protection. Philip accordingly paid a visit to
Richard, who merely said, "I'll not hear a word." It needed nothing less
than the prayers of the bishops, and even, it is said, a threat of
excommunicatio