Richard takes Messina

Military action

Richard conquers Messina, angered at King Tancred of Sicily's refusal to give money promised for the crusade by his predecessor, Richard's brother-in-law King William II, by Tancred's imprisonment of William's widow, Richard's sister Joan, and by the attitude of the citizens of Messina towards the crusaders.

Richard is angered at King Tancred of Sicily's refusal to give money promised for the crusade by his predecessor, Richard's brother-in-law King William II, by Tancred's imprisonment of William's widow, Richard's sister Joan, and by the attitude of the citizens of Messina towards the crusaders. Tancred releases Joan and a million gold taris (about 35,000 ounces of gold) which represented part of her dowry. Joan joins her brother in Messina on 28 September. On 30 September Richard seizes a fortified monastery at Bagnara on the mainland side of the Straits of Messina, where he establishes Joan. On 2 October he seized the monastery of San Salvatore on the island side of the strait and turned it into a supply depot for his fleet, having decided to overwinter in Messina. Tensions rose and violence broke out between crusaders and citizens of Messina.   Richard invited King Philip and the two governers of Messina to a conference on 4 October, but it ended early when an Aquitanian baron's lodgings were attacked by Messina citizens. Richard called his troops to arms.   King Philip ordered his troops to stay neutral as Richard's forces battled with Messinians, and French soldiers strolled casually through street battles as though sightseeing. Richard personally led the assault on the gates of the city; 25 of his household troops were killed in the fighting.   By the end of the day, Richard's banners flew above the city - a claim to ownership. King Philip then reminded him of their oath made at Vézelay to share conquests equally. Richard grudgingly hauled his banners down and passed control of the city to the Templars and Hospitallers.   On 6 October Tancred agreed pay Richard a further 40,000 ounces of gold - half in lieu of the remainder of Joan's dowry, half to support the crusade. Joan immediately pledges her 20,000 share to thee crusade.   On 8 October Ricahrd mollifies Philip by giving him a third of the money he received from Tancred.   Tancred, Richard and Philip agree to fix the price of food in Messina to ensure the crusaders are not exploited by citizens, and Richard orders his troops to return loot taken during the sack of the city. Richard and Philip further ban gambling by their soldiers unless officers are present; soldiers had been using the excuse that crusaders were forgiven debts to refuse to pay their losses.