[438] Gesta, 100.
[439] R. Diceto, ii. 73, makes the date December 14 and the landing-place Gravelines; the Gesta writer, 101, says “xio die Decembris, in vigilia S. Luciae,” which is self-contradictory, S. Lucy’s day being December 13. For “in vigilia S. Luciae” Roger of Howden (iii. 28) substitutes “feria secunda,” which would be right for December 11, 1189. Both these latter writers say that Richard landed at Calais, and that the Count of Flanders met him on his landing and escorted him “cum gaudio” into Normandy.
[440] At Bures, according to Gesta, 104; at Lions, according to Itin., 145.
[441] Est. de la Guerre Ste., ll. 247-50.
[442] The proclamation inserted by R. Diceto, ii. 73, 74, is dated Nonancourt, December 30; the Gesta, 104, places the meeting at the Ford of S. Rémi. This was the usual place for conferences, and is close to Nonancourt.
[443] The Gesta, 105, and R. Diceto, ii. 74, say that S. John Baptist’s day was the date fixed at the second conference, which was held on January 13 (Gesta, l.c.). R. Diceto, however, elsewhere (ii. 77) gives Midsummer as the date fixed at the third conference, which he says took place on the day on which the Queen of France died, or was buried; it is not clear which he means. She died on March 15; Rigord, 97. This is clearly the conference at which the Estoire, ll. 259-86, and Itin. 146, tell us the kings received the news of her death (she died unexpectedly, in childbirth), and agreed to set out each from his own dominions on S. John Baptist’s day and meet at Vézelay for the final start together on the octave. The Estoire and Itinerarium place this conference “at Dreux.” Richard was at Nonancourt on March 14 (Fœdera, I. i. 51); the Gué St. Rémi is midway between these two towns and was no doubt the real meeting-place.
[444] Gallia Christ., i. 988.
[445] Richard, Comtes., ii. 263.
[446] R. Diceto, ii. 73. R. Coggeshall, 26, says December 12, but there are several indications that Mandeville was dead before Richard left England.
[447] Gesta, 101. Roger of Howden, iii. 28, says: “Hugo Dunelmensis et Willelmus Eliensis Episcopi remanserunt in Anglia summi justiciarii”; but the Gesta and R. Devizes (11) distinctly imply that at this time William of Ely, though practically viceroy, was not titularly chief justiciar. He was, however, added to the number of assistant justiciars (Gesta, l.c.), and probably this is what Roger really means.