A Reed in the Wind: Joanna Plantagenet, Queen of Sicily

by Rachel Bard

  On April 10, 1191, the mighty fleet set sail.

  It would be eighteen months before Joanna saw Sicily again.

  Chapter 48

  Joanna to Eleanor

  Cyprus, May 8, 1191

  My dear mother,

  Although I promised to send you regular reports, it has been impossible up to now. We are at Limassol on the island of Cyprus, after a long and difficult voyage from Messina. A severe storm came up soon after our departure and scattered the ships, and only now has Richard been able to assemble the fleet here in the harbor.

  I was confined to my bed for nearly the whole voyage, suffering from the seasickness I am prone to. Berengaria did much better and tended me most faithfully. Ours was the first ship to arrive at Limassol but our relief at having found a safe harbor was soon shattered. The local ruler, Isaac Comnenus, sent a message promising to give Berengaria and me comfortable lodgings and fine food if we would come ashore. We might have gone, but our captain forbade it. He said Isaac was a conscienceless usurper and would hold us for ransom. Then I remembered that William too had told me that Isaac was not to be trusted.

  Richard was furious when he arrived and learned of Isaac’s duplicitous offer. Now Richard has set out to capture him and punish him for terrorizing the people and falsely declaring himself emperor. He is confident that the villain will be taken in a matter of days.

  May 14. Yesterday we had a wedding, and how I wish you could have been here. Richard decided to have the ceremony now, because he says when we reach Palestine he will need to launch his Crusade against Saladin at once and will have no time for weddings. It was very hastily arranged but quite splendid nevertheless. It was held in the chapel of the royal palace and Bishop John of Evreux, who is accompanying the Crusaders, presided. Alas, the chest with the wedding gown and other finery you had provided for Berengaria was washed overboard during the storms, but we found a resourceful seamstress here in Limassol. The bride looked lovely, in a sleeveless blue silk coat over a white linen gown. Fortunately, her jewel chest with her gold-and-pearl coronet survived. I believe you would have approved. Richard too was handsomely clad, in his favorite scarlet and black, and seemed properly attentive to his bride.

  He asks me to tell you that he will send word as soon as he has captured Isaac and restored order to the island.

  I am happy to report that the precious supply of paper that you so thoughtfully provided survived the storms. Jean-Pierre wrapped it in three layers of oiled silk and sealed it well. Now I must hasten to give this to the messenger. One of the ships that were damaged is sailing tomorrow to Marseilles for repairs. By taking passage on it he can save weeks, since otherwise he would have to go overland through the Eastern Empire. So perhaps you will receive this by the Feast of St. John.

  Your loving daughter, Joanna

  Richard to Eleanor

  Limassol, Cyprus, May 25, 1191

  My lady mother,

  At last we are about to embark on the last leg of our voyage. I have captured the imposter Isaac, who is thoroughly detested by the people of Cyprus. He led us a merry chase, from the sea to the mountaintops, but he is now in chains and will be imprisoned at Markat Castle in Tripoli. His daughter Beatrix, who is blameless for his despotism, will go with us under my guardianship until I can send her to you. She is about fifteen and seems tractable. You might find her an advantageous marriage, if not royal, then at least among the nobility, even though her father was only a pseudo-emperor.

  As Joanna will have told you, Berengaria and I are now properly wed, which should ease your mind in that regard.

  Your dutiful son, Richard

  Joanna to Eleanor

  Acre, June 24, 1191

  My dear mother,

  The voyage from Cyprus to this port in the Holy Land took only three days and I came through it without any sickness. But after two weeks here I wish I were anywhere else, even back at sea. Although Philip has been besieging the city for a month, it seems unlikely to fall any time soon. Meantime, we are lodged outside the walls, not far from the unsightly, noisy, smelly army camp. I will say that Philip has been extremely helpful and arranged for us to live in as much comfort, even luxury, as tents can provide. He has even lent us the services of his cook. If you wonder if he has come any closer to declaring himself as my suitor, he has not. I suppose he still bears our family a grudge because Richard married Berengaria instead of Alice, Philip’s sister.

  Richard has given me charge of Isaac’s daughter Beatrix, who is as sweet and innocent as her father is evil and treacherous. All of us have become very fond of her.

  Berengaria and I are good friends by now, but not so close that she confides in me about her marriage. However, I sense some sadness on her part because Richard is almost invisible. He comes to our tents only to ask quickly if we are in need of anything, then goes off to see to his battles. He says the Turks who are inside the city walls have proved much harder to bring to their knees than he had expected. But he is sure the city will fall very shortly. Then I shall speak to him about his husbandly duties as you asked me to do.

  Your loving daughter,

  Joanna

  Richard to Eleanor

  Acre, July 20, 1191

  My lady mother,

  God be praised, six days ago the city of Acre fell to our forces. Will you please ask the archbishop of Canterbury to see that throughout England, Aquitaine and Normandy masses are said thanking God for giving us this victory over the infidels?

  As soon as we finish treating with Saladin as to the exchange of prisoners, nothing will stop us as we advance to the Holy City.

  During my absence, my sister, my wife and all their ladies and servants will be securely lodged in the Tour des Chevaliers, a well-fortified palace in the center of Acre.

  You may expect your son to return victorious no later than next Lenten season.

  Your dutiful

  Richard

  Joanna to Eleanor

  Acre, August 1, 1191

  My dear mother,

  Sorry news: King Philip yesterday gathered his troops and left, claiming illness and the pressing need to return to France lest he lose Flanders. Richard is understandably angry. He and Philip had been quarreling ever since Acre fell. Philip left with only a few formal words of farewell to me. I believe you may remove him from your list of prospective husbands for your daughter. Duke Leopold of Austria has also departed, having been driven mad with jealousy of Richard and claiming, falsely or with reason I know not, to have been denied his share of the spoils. Richard is therefore now in sole charge of the Crusade.

  He begs me to tell you he would write himself but he is far too busy rebuilding the city and planning the march south to Jaffa, whence he intends to launch the assault on Jerusalem. Berengaria, Beatrix and I and our people will remain here in Acre, which Richard says will be the safest place for us.

  Brother Jean-Pierre sends you his respectful greetings. He is rejoicing that he will fulfill his dream of seeing Jerusalem. I shall miss his companionship, although in truth I have seen very little of him since we came here. Chaplains and priests are scarce and Jean-Pierre has been busy tending to the spiritual needs of the army and the hundreds of pilgrims who travel with it.

  I shall also miss my page Federico, who is eager to begin service as a knight’s squire. Sir Alan, Lady Mary’s uncle, promises to take him in charge and watch over him. I trust Sir Alan, but I shall worry all the same.

  Berengaria has now confided to me that Richard has been only twice to her bed since their wedding. To make matters worse, Beatrix has confessed to me that Richard sought her out and persuaded her to lie with him. Being so young and impressionable, she would have been easy for my brother to seduce. She is remorseful, to her credit, and has begged me to forgive her. Of course I confronted Richard with these shameful facts and implored him to consider his responsibilities to the kingdom. He promises to do so.

  Your daughter,

  Joanna

  Richard to Ele
anor

  Jaffa, October 1, 1191

  My lady mother,

  I rejoice to tell you that we have won a fearsome battle with the armies of Saladin and we are now in possession of Jaffa. After you have read this message, please ask the chancellor to see that it is posted and read in all major cities in England and in our possessions in France.

  Richard, by the grace of God, King of England, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, Earl of Anjou, to his dearly beloved and faithful subjects, greetings!

  Know that after the taking of Acre and the departure of the King of France, who so basely abandoned the purpose of his pilgrimage and broke his vow, against the will of God to his eternal shame and the shame of his realm, we took the road to Jaffa. We were nearing Arsuf when Saladin swept down on us with a mighty host of Saracens. By the mercy of God we lost no knights on this day save one. Then through God’s will we came to Jaffa, which we fortified because it was our purpose to defend the interests of Christianity to the utmost of our power. On the second day, Saladin lost an infinite number of great men, and being put to flight, he laid waste the whole land of Syria. On the third day before the defeat of Saladin, we were ourselves wounded on the left side with a javelin, but by the grace of God we have now recovered from the wound. We hope with God’s grace, within twenty days after Christmas to recover the holy city of Jerusalem and the Sepulchre of our Lord, and after this we will return to our own land.

  Richard

  Eleanor to Richard

  Winchester, November 20, 1191

  My beloved son,

  Every day I hope for word that Berengaria is pregnant. If she is not, why not? You have been married six months. Have you been as dutiful in your attentions as you ought? Surely you have not forgotten my strictures about your responsibilities. Now that Acre and Jaffa are yours, for which God be thanked, you should be able to take some respite and devote yourself to being a husband instead of a warrior. If this reaches you by Christmas, what better way to celebrate the season than by insuring the continuity of the royal line?

  My concern in this matter grows as I observe your brother John insinuating his way into power and demonstrating his ineptitude for government. God help England if he were to be its king.

  Eleanor

  By the Grace of God, Queen of

  England

  Joanna to Eleanor

  Jaffa, December 19, 1191

  My beloved mother,

  After many dreary months in Acre, we were summoned to Jaffa by Richard, where we have been treated most royally. He wishes us to celebrate Christmas with him, the last chance for any festivities for some time. He intends to begin the march to Jerusalem early in January. I learned that he had other reasons to invite us, as well.

  First, he has been unusually attentive, even affectionate, to Berengaria. Lady Mary, who has her ways of acquiring information, tells me that Richard visits Berengaria nearly every night. My dear sister-in-law is glowing with happiness. Why he has had such a change of heart I cannot imagine. But I welcome it.

  I was disturbed, however, when Lady Mary said that one of the pages told her he thought he saw Richard leaving the chamber of Beatrix, the Cypriot princess, late one night. I shall hope he was mistaken. I had thought her penitence for her first transgression would make it easier for her to refuse him.

  Richard’s second reason for bringing us to Jaffa would be laughable if it were not so painful to relate. He has been making one last effort to treat with Saladin and agree on a truce, before they embark on any more bloody battles. Shortly after we arrived here he told me the following: He had entertained Saladin’s brother and emissary el-Adel (also known as Saphadin) at a lavish feast and presented him with a fine warhorse. El-Adel gave Richard seven camels. Then el-Adel returned to his brother with Richard’s audacious suggestion for the terms of the truce. Saladin was to give all of Palestine to el-Adel, and Richard would yield his conquests along the coast to me. Then el-Adel and I should marry and reign jointly over our new amalgamated kingdom. Christians and Muslims alike would be free to visit the holy sites in Jerusalem. I, of course, would have to convert to Islam.

  When Richard told me all this, I fear my scream of outrage was so loud that servants and maids came running. Richard belatedly realized he should have consulted me before making such an outlandish proposal. But he was not finished. He sent word to Saladin that though his sister was not desirous of converting to Islam, the marriage could still take place as suggested, but that el-Adel should convert to Christianity. Naturally, Saladin rejected this. It would seem he has a better understanding of what is possible and what is not than my brother. And the warring will resume.

  Soon after Christmas we will return to Acre to await news of Richard’s advance toward the Holy City.

  I know you wish your daughter to make an advantageous marriage. But I am sure you agree that this would have been a disaster.

  Joanna

  Eleanor to Richard

  Rouen, April 1192

  My son,

  I have had no word from Palestine since Joanna wrote at Christmastide. I shall say nothing of what she told me of your scheme to marry her to the infidel el-Adel, beyond that I trust you have come to your senses and realize how misguided the proposal was.

  I write about far more serious matters. Your chancellor, Longchamp, informs me that your brother John has been conniving with disaffected bishops and nobles to ally them with his cause, which is to gain control of England in your absence. Those who are loyal to you grow fewer. Worse, John and King Philip are hatching evil schemes to remove our lands in France from your suzerainty and divide the spoils between them. I am in France now doing what I can to prevent this.

  Richard, if you would save your kingdom, come home, with or without Jerusalem as your trophy.

  Eleanor

  By the Grace of God, Queen of

  England

  Joanna to Eleanor

  Acre, May 1192

  My dear mother,

  I have very little to tell you except that alas, Berengaria is not yet pregnant. But, blessedly, neither is Beatrix. We receive only infrequent reports and rumors of the Crusaders’ progress. It seems Richard has refortified Ascalon, far to the south, which Saladin destroyed to keep his enemies from using it as a base. We have not seen Richard since we returned to this dreary city. He sent a messenger last week informing me that you are in France where Philip is making trouble in our territories. Philip is not a man of his word because he and Richard solemnly swore not to interfere in each other’s kingdoms while the Crusade continues. I am more convinced than ever that he would not have made a suitable husband.

  Richard also said that as the weather improves, he will begin the pursuit of Saladin again.

  Your loving daughter,

  Joanna

  Richard to Eleanor

  Ascalon

  June 2, 1192

  My dear mother,

  I have received your troubling message about the dangers threatening our kingdom of England. Others have also sent word of the nefarious plots of John and Philip. I agree that I should leave the Holy Land as soon as possible. However, my leading knights, indeed the whole army, urge me to make a speedy assault on Jerusalem. Their zeal has persuaded me and we shall set out in five days. I will take heart in knowing that God is on our side and that many who are dear to me are praying for our success—especially you, my sister Joanna and my wife Berengaria.

  Within a month victory should be ours. Then I shall return.

  Richard

  Joanna to Eleanor

  Acre, August 29, 1192

  My beloved mother,

  After months of boredom, so much has happened lately that I hardly know where to begin. Some of what I tell you here is only rumor, but I do know that in late June the longed-for final march to Jerusalem began. Then to our dismay word came that Richard halted the advance when they were almost in sight of the Holy City and turned back to the coast. But he and Saladin’s forces continued to skirmish all ov
er the south. After one last fierce battle at Jaffa, where Richard distinguished himself for bravery and led the Crusaders to win the day, he collapsed, a victim of the fever he so often suffers from. Nevertheless he began negotiating with Saladin (through my erstwhile suitor, el-Adel) for a truce. They have now signed a treaty that will satisfy both sides. The Christians will keep control of the coast and the cities they have conquered, while Saladin keeps Jerusalem. But Christian pilgrims will be free to come and worship there at the Holy Sepulchre.

  September 2

  Two days after I wrote the above, Richard returned to Acre, gravely ill. He is subdued, with none of his usual cheer. Berengaria, Lady Mary and I have been nursing him as well as we can. Lady Charmaine has been surprisingly useful. It seems her late husband once had a fever like Richard’s. Between her and Lady Mary, who knows so much about poultices and herbal infusions to reduce the fever, he is gradually improving. But his spirits are still low.

  His army is already preparing to leave for home. We too should soon depart. I shall not be sorry to say goodbye to this benighted land which has dealt such cruel blows to the Crusaders and nearly destroyed my brother.

  Richard asks me not to send this until he can add a page.

  Your loving daughter,

  Joanna

  Richard to Eleanor

  Acre, September 10, 1192