A History of the Crusades-Vol 3 by Steven Runciman

in his younger days to force his decisions on the quarrelsome emirs
who were his vassals. Many of them still regarded him as an upstart and a
usurper, and were quick to show insubordination if his star seemed to be
declining. He could ill afford to be out-generalled by Richard. Above all, he
must not lose Jerusalem, whose capture had been his most glorious triumph. He
took his army in good order to Ramleh, on the road to Jerusalem, to await
Richard’s next move.
    1191: Richard negotiates with al-Adil
    The Crusading army marched on to Jaffa and
set about rebuilding its fortifications. Hitherto Richard had had the fleet on
his flank, to keep him in supplies. He was not prepared to march inland to the
Holy City without a strong base on the coast. Moreover, after its long march
down the coast his army was tired and needed a rest. His caution and delay have
puzzled many historians; for had he moved swiftly against Jerusalem he would
have found it poorly garrisoned and its walls in bad repair. But Saladin’s army
had only been defeated, not destroyed. It was still formidable; and even had
Richard broken through to Jerusalem, it could have cut him off from the sea. It
was prudent to make certain of Jaffa before starting on the greater adventure.
Nevertheless the delay was over-long. It enabled Saladin to strengthen the
defences of the Holy City. Then, fearful lest Richard should move on Ascalon
and establish a base there that would cut off the road to Egypt, his main source
of man-power, he took part of his army from Ramleh to Ascalon and methodically
demolished the whole city, rich and prosperous though it was. Meanwhile the
Christian army enjoyed the comforts of Jaffa. Life was pleasant there. Fruit
and vegetables abounded in the gardens round the town, and the ships brought
ample provisions. They brought, too, gay ladies from Acre to divert the men.
The Saracens kept at a distance. There were only a few chivalrous skirmishes in
the plain of Lydda, on the outskirts of the camp. The army grew indolent and
soft. Many soldiers found their way back to Acre. Richard sent King Guy to urge
them to return to the camp, but they took no notice of him. It needed Richard’s
own visit to Acre to gather them together again. Richard had his own worries.
He was not happy about affairs at Acre and further north, where Conrad’s party
was powerful. There was trouble in Cyprus, where Richard of Camville had died
and Robert of Turnham had difficulty in suppressing a revolt; and he feared
what King Philip might do on his return to France. He solved his trouble in
Cyprus by selling the island to the Templars. But he was also anxious to start
negotiations with Saladin. Saladin was ready to listen to his proposals and
empowered his brother, al-Adil, to treat for him.
    As soon as he reached Jaffa, Richard sent
Humphrey of Toron, who was the best Arabic scholar in his army, and for whom he
had a deep affection, to Lydda, where al-Adil was in command, to discuss
preliminaries for a truce, but nothing was decided. Al-Adil was a skilled
diplomat, and restrained his brother’s longing for a settlement. His diplomacy
was given a wonderful opportunity when in October envoys came to him from Tyre,
asking if he would receive an embassy from Conrad. Richard’s first demand was
for nothing less than Jerusalem with the whole country west of the Jordan, and
the return of the Holy Cross. Saladin sent back a reply that the Holy City was
holy to Islam too; and he would not return the Cross without some
counter-concession. A few days later, on 20 October, Richard made fresh
proposals. Like all the Crusaders, he admired al-Adil, whom they called
Saphadin, and suggested that al-Adil should receive the whole of Palestine at
present owned by Saladin, and that he should marry the King’s sister, Queen
Joanna of Sicily, who should be endowed with the coastal cities conquered by
Richard, including Ascalon. The married couple should live at Jerusalem, to
which the