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pp 369.”On his long journey home from the Third Crusade, Richard the Lionheart–one of history? most powerful and romantic figures–was ship-wrecked near Venice in the Adriatic Sea. Forced to make his way home by land through enemy countries, he traveled in disguise, but was eventually captured by Duke Leopold V of Austria, who in turn conveyed him to Henry VI, the Holy Roman Emperor. Henry demanded a majestic ransom, and Richard’s mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, raised the historic sum–one quarter of the entire wealth of England–and Richard was returned. But a peculiar legend followed him–that a troubadour named Blondel, a friend of Richard’s, had journeyed across Europe singing a song he knew Richard would recognize in order to discover his secret place of imprisonment.”