Itinerary
227
without the kingÕs consent and advice. King Richard hearing of the death
of the marquis, was for a long time silent, with astonishment, at his violent
and untimely end; but he was exceedingly rejoiced at the election of his
nephew, and the regal honours so solemnly conferred upon him; for he
knew that his own people desired it much. ÒWherefore,Ó said he, Òas the
marquis, by
the inexorable decrees of fate, has ceased to exist, it is of no use
to indulge in sorrow: mourning will avail nothing to the spirit of the
departed! I congratulate you on the election of Count Henry; and I am very
desirous, if it be the will of God, that he should be invested with the
government of the kingdom as soon as we have obtained entire possession
of the Holy Land; but concerning his marrying the widow of the marquis, I
have
no advice to give, for the marquis seized upon her unlawfully while
her husband was alive, and committed adultery by his intercourse with
her; let Count Henry take the kingdom, and the city of Acre, with all its
appurtenances, Tyre and Joppa, and the whole of the land, if it so please
God, for ever. Tell him also, in my name, to
set out for the campaign as
quickly as possible, and bring the French with him; for I purpose to take
Darum in spite of all the opposition of the Turks.
Chapter XXXV. Ñ
How, on the return of the messenger from King Richard, and
their announcing his pleasure, the count was married to the marquisÕs widow, to
the great joy of all, and how Tyre and other fortresses were given up to the count.
After receiving the instructions of King Richard, the ambassadors
returned to Tyre to the count, their future king,
and reported the message
entrusted to them. Then the joy and exultation of all was revived, and the
principal persons persuaded the count to marry the marquisÕs widow who
was heiress to the kingdom; but he refused, lest he should offend King
Richard. Upon this, the French, and the nobles of the kingdom, urged him
to it, alleging that his position
would be strengthened thereby; and by their
influence, the lady came of her own accord to offer him the keys of the city.
This was done at the instance of the French, who were for hurrying on the
matter. The marriage was solemnized in the church in the presence of the
clergy and laity. Those who persuaded the count to this step were not