 On June 5, 1282, Cardinal Bianchi was appointed papal legate in Sicily, to pacify the kingdom.In August he was sent into Messina, which was besieged, on behalf of Charles I of Naples, but to no effect.When King Charles and King Alfonso challenged each other to individual combat over their differences in the Autumn of 1282, Pope Martin wrote to King Charles, begging him not to carry out his undertakings.