he heard of Richard's release, that he Ifather, Sancho the "Wise, King of Nawrote to Prince John " to take care of varre, died, after a prosperous reign of himself, for the devil was unchained." forty-five years, much regretted by his Early in 1194, Queen Berengaria's subjects. CHAPTEE III. On returning from captivity, Richard is again crowned—Sis clemency to those who had rebelled in his absence—The Queen-mother prevails on him to forgive his rebellious brother^ John—He forsakes Berengaria—Implores and obtains her pardon—• Famine at Poictiers—Death of the Archduke of Austria—Richard acknowledges his brother, Prince John, as his future heir—The Princess Alice given up to Philip —Married to the Count of Aumerte—Death of Richard—His character—Many excellent laws passed during his reign—Robin Hood—Eleanora proceeds to Rouen, where she witnesses the death of her daughter, Joanna—Her continental dominions confirmed to her by King John—She is besieged—Relieved by King John—Captivity of Arthur—His death—Eleanora enters the Convent of Fontevraud—Her death — Vindication of her conduct—Berengaria retires from active life after the death of Richard—Her dower—She builds and enters the Abbey of E'Espan—The payment of her dower neglected by John and Henry tlie Third—Her death—Tomb. • FTER washing off; I forgive you, and may I forget your the stain of incarinjuries as easily as you will my pardon." ceration by a second I From Normandy Richard proceeded coronation at Westto Anjou, where, although in the viciminster, Richard nity of his affectionate consort, Berenmade a journey garia, he did not return to her society. through England, to This separation was occasioned by his punish those nobles having taken to a course of profligacy who had aided in the revolt of his unand drinking, " which," says a chronnatural brother, John. At Northampicler, " me weens would have destroyed ton, he called a council, at which Elehis body, and ruined his soul for ever, anora assisted, and, seated at his right had not Hugh of Lincoln, and other hand, was treated with the highest hoholy prelates, so rated him, that he turned nours. Before this assembly, Prince from his evil ways, and betaking the John and his abettors were cited to aproad to heaven, confessed his iniquities, pear. But John, being at that time in and went over to Poictiers, and begged France, under the protection of King forgiveness of his good queen." Philip, did not come forward, and the The overjoyed Berengaria readily forother rebels, on making professions of gave the neglect she had received from sorrow and allegiance to the King, were her royal lord, and Richard, in complitreated with great clemency. ance with the solemn vow he had pre Richard shortly afterwards collected viously made on a sick bed, remained an army, and passed over to Normandy. constant to her to the day of his death. But as Eleanora could not endure to see The reconciled King and Queen passed her sons armed against each other, she the Christmas and part of the following so contrived that, when the King arrived ! year, 1196, at the city of Poictiers, and at Rouen, he found his brother a peni-]as there was a great famine there that tent, suing at his feet for pardon. vear, Cœur de Lion, by the earnest so Richard was moved to tears, and i licitation of his kind-hearted consort, stretching out his hand to the kneeling I administered largely to the wants of the suppliant, he exclaimed, "Arise, John, Jfamishing poor.