Richard tours continental possessions

Political event

During the first part of 1190 King Richard tours his continental poossessions - Normandy, Anjou. Poitheu and Aquitaine - appointing or confirming seneschals and making arrangements for his absence.

Ricahrd holds court in La Réole, on the banks of the Garonne in Gascony, at Candlemas (2 February). Henry, son of Henry the Lion of Saxony is present. It is likely Richard opened negotiations with King Sancho of Navarre for his betrothal to Sancho's daughter Berengaria. Richard sends letters summoning Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury, Queen Eleanor, his brothers John and Geoffrey, and his promised wife Alice of France, to a private meeting in Normandy in March.   Richard meets King Philip on 16 March, and they agree to delay their departure until 24 June. News arrives that Philip's wife, Isabella of Hainault, died in childbirth a day earlier.   Richard is in Normandy on Easter Monday (26 March), when he learns of the massacres of the Jews in various English towns.   In May and June Richard is in the far south of his possessions.   In Tours, towards the end of June, Richard receives his pilgrim's staff and scrip; his brother Geoffrey, Archbishop-elect of York, joins him there and pays 800 marks towards Richard's favour, still owing £2,000.