This indeed was the case.

The king had not started many hours, when the arrival of fresh messengers from Philip and John induced the emperor once more to change his intentions, and a body of men were sent in pursuit of the king.

The latter fortunately made no stay on the way, but changing horses frequently--for everywhere he was received with honor and attention--he pushed forward for the coast of the North Sea, and arrived there two or three hours only before his oppressors.

Fortunately it was night, and taking a boat he embarked without a moment's delay; and when the emissaries of the emperor arrived the boat was already out of sight, and in the darkness pursuit was hopeless.
On landing at Dover, the first to present himself before him was Prince John, who, in the most abject terms besought pardon for the injuries he had inflicted.

King Richard waved him contemptuously aside.
"Go," he said, "and may I forget your injuries as speedily as you will forget my pardon." Then taking horse, he rode on to London, where he was received with the most lively acclamation by his subjects.
The first step of King Richard was to dispossess all the minions of John from the castles and lands which had been taken from his faithful adherents.