Leopold of Austria had not hesitated to gain the support of Emperor Henry VI.
When the Duke turns the English king over to Henry in March of 1193, Henry has him arrested at Trifels Castle.
The king is charged with the murder of Conrad of Monferrat, who was Leopold's cousin, and also with insulting the Austrian duke by throwing down his banner at Acre.
Richard had refused the accusations and was backed by Pope Celestine III, who had threatened Henry with excommunication; nevertheless, his imminent extradition to Philip of France made him strike a ransom deal.
He will be released in February 1194 for an enormous price, of which Leopold will receive a share.
In order to obtain his release, Richard has agreed to surrender his kingdom to the Emperor, receive it back as a fief, and pay a ransom of one hundred thousand silver marks as well as an additional fifty thousands marks in lieu of helping Henry conquer the Sicilian kingdom.
