The Treaty of Messina was signed in 1189, establishing an alliance between Richard I of England and Philip II of France. This treaty aimed to strengthen their positions in the ongoing conflicts of the Crusades and marked a significant moment in Anglo-French relations. The agreement would have lasting implications for European geopolitics and the balance of power.

The Treaty of Messina influenced literary works that explored themes of loyalty and betrayal among rulers. Poets of the time often reflected on the complexities of alliances and the moral dilemmas faced by leaders, shaping the narrative of political poetry in the medieval period.