The British nation a history / by George MWrong . ing army had no unity to oppose tothe despotic power of the great Sultan Sala-din, and was playing a losing game. Richardfought with dash and heroism, and amidsttreachery and envy on every side his conductappears worthy of praise. He won victories,but even then could secure only a truce which gaveChristians for three years the right of access to the holyplaces. Journeying home-ward he was shipwrecked inthe upper Adriatic, was seizedby his fellow crusader, Leo-pold, Duke of Austria, andbasely sold to the EmperorHenry VI. His brother John,faithle
The British nation a history / by George MWrong . ing army had no unity to oppose tothe despotic power of the great Sultan Sala-din, and was playing a losing game. Richardfought with dash and heroism, and amidsttreachery and envy on every side his conductappears worthy of praise. He won victories,but even then could secure only a truce which gaveChristians for three years the right of access to the holyplaces. Journeying home-ward he was shipwrecked inthe upper Adriatic, was seizedby his fellow crusader, Leo-pold, Duke of Austria, andbasely sold to the EmperorHenry VI. His brother John,faithless always, joined Philipof France in bribing the em-peror to retain his prisoner,and only after more than ayears imprisonment and whenhis overtaxed people had man-aged to pay a huge ransomdid Richard reach then he stayed but afew weeks, andwas soon busy inhis continentalHe longed, butwas unable, to return to the East, and spent his remain-ing six years in war with Philip of France. In 1199, while His later yearsand death. Crusading tlic frequence of the cross. THE STRUGGLE AGAINST ROYAL DESPOTISM 109 besieging the obscure castle of Clialuz - Chabrol, he fellmortally wounded, and was buried near his father atFontevrault. The reign of Eichard was not as disastrous to Englandas might be supposed. His people, who were obliged toEeal political P^^ heavily for his ransom and his wars, wereprogress during yet proud of the lion-hearted king, the mostthe reign. famous warrior of the age. Constitutional liberty grew in his absence. William Longchamp, thechancellor whom he left in authority, j)roved a bad rulerand the barons promptly drove him out of the country, andshowed that, if not the king himself, at least the kingsminister, was responsible to the nation, and that a kingsofficer who defied law must be checked, as were the formerlawless barons. If liberties were sold by Eichard tomunicipalities, these also bought and retained Walter, w
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