At that period all western Europe was engaged in the series of wars
known as the Crusades. The object of this long contest, which began
in 1096 and ended in 1270, was to compel the Saracens or Mohammedans
to give up possession of the Holy Land to the Christians (S186).
Immediately after his coronation, Richard resolved to jion the King of
France and the Emperor of Germany in the Third Crusade. To get money
for the expedition, the King extorted loans from the Jews (S119), who
were the creditors of half England and had almost complete control of
the capital and commerce of every country in Europe.
The English nobles who joined Richard also borrowed largely from the
same source; and then, suddenly turning on the hated lenders, they
tried to extinguish the debt by extinguishing the Jews. A pretext
against the unfortunate race was easily found. Riots broke out in
London, York, and elsewhere, and hundreds of Israelites were brutally
massacred.
Richard's next move to obtain funds was to impose a heavy tax; his
next, to dispose of titles of rank and offices in both Church and
State, to all who wished to buy them. Thus, to the aged and covetous
bishop of Durhap he sold the earldom of Northumberland for life,
saying, as he concluded the bargain, "Out of an old bishop I have made
a new earl."
He sold, also, the office of chief justice to the same prelate for an
additional thousand marks (S161, note 1), while the King of Scotland
purchased freedom from subjection to the English King for ten thousand
marks.
Last of all, Richard sold cities and town, and he also sold charters
to towns. One of his courtiers remonstrated with him for his greed
for gain. The King replied, "I would sell London itself could I find
a purchaser rich enough to buy it."