noon
For these , and other personal reasons , the King of England very soon looked upon the Austrian Prince with feelings of contempt , which he was at no pains to conceal or modify , and which , therefore , were speedily remarked , and returned with deep hatred , by the suspicious Leopold . The discord between them was fanned by the secret and politic arts of Philip of France , one of the most sagacious monarchs of the time , who , dreading the fiery and overbearing character of Richard , considering him as his natural rival , and feeling offended , moreover , at the dictatorial manner in which he , a vassal of France for his Continental domains , conducted himself towards his liege lord , endeavoured to strengthen his own party , and weaken that of Richard , by uniting the Crusading princes of inferior degree in resistance to what he termed the usurping authority of the King of England . Such was the state of politics and opinions entertained by the Archduke of Austria , when Conrade of Montserrat resolved upon employing his jealousy of England as the means of dissolving , or loosening at least , the league of the Crusaders . The time which he chose for his visit was noon ; and the pretence , to present the Archduke with some choice Cyprus wine which had lately fallen into his hands , and discuss its comparative merits with those of Hungary and of the Rhine . An intimation of his purpose was , of course , answered by a courteous invitation to partake of the Archducal meal , and every effort was used to render it fitting the splendour of a sovereign prince . Yet the refined taste of the Italian saw more cumbrous profusion than elegance or splendour in the display of provisions under which the board groaned . The Germans , though still possessing the martial and frank character of their ancestors -- who subdued the Roman Empire -- had retained withal no slight tinge of their barbarism .