[1] [2] Herevpon king Richard, not minding to be so mocked at their hands, approched one daie to the wals and gates with his armie in good araie of bat|tell to giue the assault, which was doone so earnestlie, and so well mainteined,k. Richard assalteth and entreth the citie by force. that finallie the citie was en|tred by force, and manie of the citizens slaine, but the slaughter had beene much greater, if king Richard had not commanded his men to spare the sword, moo|ued with the lamentable noise of poore people crieng to him for mercie and grace. The Englishmen ha|uing got possession of the citie pight vp the banners with the armes of the king of England round about the wals, wherewith the French king was sore dis|pleased, and required that the same might be taken downe, and his set vp: but the king of England would not so agrée. Neuerthelesse to pacifie the French kings mood, he deliuered the citie of Messina into the custodie of the knights Templers and Hos|pitalers, till he might be satisfied of such things as he demanded of king Tancred.