From Sicily, Berengaria and Richard's sister Joan set sail to join Richard in the Holy Land, but their ship was wrecked off the coast of Cyprus where they were taken prisoner by Isaac Comnenus. This led to Richard's conquest of Cyprus, as he and some of his forces landed to free the two women and in doing so took control of Cyprus. The couple was then married and spent a relatively short time together in the Holy Land before Berengaria returned to France. In 1192, when Richard made his way back to Europe he was captured and held prisoner in Germany and only finally ransomed by his mother in 1194. Their marriage never amounted to more than a formality and they had no children.
After Richard's death, his brother King John siezed much of Berengaria's property causing her to live in relative poverty until John's death and the ascension of his son, Henry III, who paid Berengaria most of what was owed her. Berengaria died in 1230, still in France.
Third Crusade- Crusades-Encyclopedia
Primary Sources of the Third Crusade- Crusades-Encyclopedia
Richard the Lionheart- Crusades-Encyclopedia
Eleanor of Aquitaine- Crusades-Encyclopedia
Blanche of Castille-Crusades-Encyclopedia
Cyprus- Crusades-Encyclopedia
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