Α.Π. 11»».] RICHARD CROWNED AT WINCHESTER. 130 receiving a fitting ransom, as lie was greedily anxious after tlie money of each and all of them in his then state of necessity. Two reasons principally urged him to take this course, which were, that he might release the hostages who had hceti given to the emperor lor him, and that he might get together a very large arni)-against the king of the French, who was every where ravaging his dominions with lire and pillage. On this account, although he exacted money for his prisoners more; greedily than was compatible with his kingly dignity, yet it ought to be pardoned rather than throw a stain on the king on account of his necessities. //ut/' king Richard iras crowned, and immediately crowed the sea to Xormaudy. After all his adversaries in England were thus quickly sub lined, king Richard, by the advice of his nobles, although it coniti add but little to his renown, was crowned at Winchester in Faster week; at which ceremony Hubert archbishop of Canterbury performed mass, and William king of Scots attended. Afterwards, at the feast of the saints jS'ereus and Achilles,* 1 κ; embarked at Portsmouth and sailed to Normandy, and on his arrival there he stopped that night at Bailleur to rest ; at that place his brother carl John came to him as a suppliant, and. with many of his soldiers, threw himself at the feet of the king, asking his brother's merer with tear-:, and accusing himself for his folly in many respects. The king, affectionate as he was, could not refrain from tears, and pitying his brother's misfortunes, raised him from the ground and restored him to his former favour. If tur king Richard forced the king of the French to fly from Ycneuil. King Richard being informed that the king id'the French had laid siege to Verneuil, and had been employed for eight days unceasingly in erecting stone engines, in bringing up large stones, undermining the walls, and harassing the besieged garrison, took his way to that place with all speed. The great day of Whitsuntide was at hand, and that the French might not have' to Ixmst of gaining a victory on that sacred day. they heard a little before dark that the English king was prepared for battle, and would arrivo at daybreak. • 12lh Min.