Richard marries Berengaria in Limassol on May…
May 1191 CE
Richard marries Berengaria in Limassol on May 12, 1191 at the Chapel of St. George.
The marriage, attended by his sister Joan, is celebrated with great pomp and splendor and much feasting and entertainment, and public parades; celebrations follow to commemorate the event.
Among the other grand ceremonies is a double coronation.
Richard causes himself to be crowned King of Cyprus, and Berengaria Queen of England and of Cyprus, too, by the Archbishop of Bordeaux and Bishops of Évreux and Bayonne.
When Richard marries Berengaria he is still officially betrothed to Alys, and Richard pushes for the match in order to obtain Navarre as a fief like Aquitaine for his father.
Further, Eleanor has championed the match, as Navarre borders on Aquitaine, thereby securing her ancestral lands' borders to the south.
Richard will take his new wife with him briefly on this episode of the crusade.
However, they will return separately.
Berengaria will have almost as much difficulty in making the journey home as her husband will, and she will not see England until after his death.
After his release from German captivity, Richard will show some regret for his earlier conduct, but he will not be reunited with his wife in England.
The marriage will remain childless.