Richard I (8 September 1157 – 6 April 1199) was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He was also known as Richard Cœur de Lion, or Richard the Lionheart, even before he became King, because of his reputation as a great military leader and warrior. The Saracens called him Melek-Ric or Malek al-Inkitar – King of England.
By the age of sixteen, Richard commanded his own army, putting down rebellions against his father, King Henry II. Richard was a central Christian commander during the Third Crusade, leading the campaign after the departure of Philip II of France and scoring considerable victories against his Muslim counterpart, Saladin, although he did not capture Jerusalem.
Richard spent very little time actually in England, instead living most of the time in France. England, for him, was a place to raise money to support his armies. He was seen as a hero by his subjects. He remains one of the few Kings of England remembered by his nickname, rather than official title with a number.
By the age of sixteen, Richard commanded his own army, putting down rebellions against his father, King Henry II. Richard was a central Christian commander during the Third Crusade, leading the campaign after the departure of Philip II of France and scoring considerable victories against his Muslim counterpart, Saladin, although he did not capture Jerusalem.
Richard spent very little time actually in England, instead living most of the time in France. England, for him, was a place to raise money to support his armies. He was seen as a hero by his subjects. He remains one of the few Kings of England remembered by his nickname, rather than official title with a number.
19th-century depiction of Richard leaving the Holy Land
Having become king, Richard, together with King Philip of France, agreed to go on the Third Crusade, since each feared that during his absence, the other might try to invade his territories. Richard begun raising money throughout England to pay for the crusade, making political deals with other kings in exchange for money. This was basically the only time Richard spent time in England as king. Richard claimed that England was "cold and always raining," and when he was raising funds for his crusade, he was said to declare, "I would have sold London if I could find a buyer." However, although England was a major part of his territories—particularly important in that it gave him a royal title with which to approach other kings as an equal—it faced no major internal or external threats during his reign, unlike his continental territories, and so did not require his constant presence there. Richard could not even speak English. He left the country in the hands of various officials he selected (including his mother, at times), Richard was far more concerned with his French lands. After all his preparations he had an army of 4,000 men-at-arms, 4,000 foot-soldiers and a fleet of 100 ships.
Richard left for the Holy Lands with his allies Phillip of France and Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor. Along the way to Palestine (the Holy Lands), Richard and his armies occupied Sicily and invaded Cyprus.
Frederick died early in the trip to the Holy Lands, drowning in a river because his suit of armour was too heavy for him to swim in. Phillip left after an argument with Richard over who should govern the captured territories. This left the crusade up to Richard and his army.
As the crusade progressed, many battles were fought, with the crusaders having many victories. Richard had kept 2,700 Muslim prisoners as hostages after victories, believing they could be valuable when negotiating with Saladin. However, eventually, Richard believed his campaign could not advance with the prisoners in train. He therefore ordered all the prisoners executed. He then moved south, defeating Saladin's forces at the Battle of Arsuf on 7 September 1191. He attempted to negotiate with Saladin, but, this was unsuccessful. In the first half of 1192 he and his troops refortified Ascalon, where they had been based earlier in the campaign.
Richard left for the Holy Lands with his allies Phillip of France and Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor. Along the way to Palestine (the Holy Lands), Richard and his armies occupied Sicily and invaded Cyprus.
Frederick died early in the trip to the Holy Lands, drowning in a river because his suit of armour was too heavy for him to swim in. Phillip left after an argument with Richard over who should govern the captured territories. This left the crusade up to Richard and his army.
As the crusade progressed, many battles were fought, with the crusaders having many victories. Richard had kept 2,700 Muslim prisoners as hostages after victories, believing they could be valuable when negotiating with Saladin. However, eventually, Richard believed his campaign could not advance with the prisoners in train. He therefore ordered all the prisoners executed. He then moved south, defeating Saladin's forces at the Battle of Arsuf on 7 September 1191. He attempted to negotiate with Saladin, but, this was unsuccessful. In the first half of 1192 he and his troops refortified Ascalon, where they had been based earlier in the campaign.
Realising that he had no hope of holding Jerusalem even if he took it, Richard ordered a retreat. There commenced a period of minor skirmishes with Saladin's forces while Richard and Saladin negotiated a settlement to the conflict, as both realised that their respective positions were growing untenable. Richard knew that both Philip and his own brother John were starting to plot against him. However, Saladin insisted on the destruction of Ascalon's fortifications, which Richard's men had rebuilt, and a few other bases. Richard made one last attempt to strengthen his bargaining position by attempting to invade Egypt—Saladin's chief supply-base—but failed.
In the end, time ran out for Richard. He realised that his return to his Kingdom could be postponed any longer since both Philip and his brother John were taking advantage of his absence. He and Saladin finally came to a settlement on 2 September 1192; this included the provisions demanding the destruction of Ascalon's fortifications, as well as an agreement allowing Christian pilgrims and merchants access to Jerusalem. It also included a three-year truce (ceasefire).
In the end, time ran out for Richard. He realised that his return to his Kingdom could be postponed any longer since both Philip and his brother John were taking advantage of his absence. He and Saladin finally came to a settlement on 2 September 1192; this included the provisions demanding the destruction of Ascalon's fortifications, as well as an agreement allowing Christian pilgrims and merchants access to Jerusalem. It also included a three-year truce (ceasefire).
Tomb containing the heart of King Richard at Rouen Cathedral.
Richard's contemporaneous image was that of a king who was also a knight, and that was apparently the first such instance of this combination. He was known as a brave and competent military leader and individual fighter: courageous and generous. That reputation has come down through the ages and defines the popular image of Richard. He is remembered, in large part because of his military skills. Meanwhile, Muslim writers during the Crusades period and after wrote of him: "Never have we had to face a bolder or more subtle opponent."
Richard, however, also received negative portrayals. During his life, he was criticised by writers for having taxed the church both for the Crusade and for his ransom, whereas the church and the priests were usually exempt from taxes. Though born in Oxford, he spoke no English. During his ten years' reign, he was in England for no more than six months, and was totally absent for the last five years.
Richard produced no legitimate heirs and acknowledged only one illegitimate son, Philip of Cognac. As a result, he was succeeded by his brother John as King of England. However, his French territories initially rejected John as a successor, preferring his nephew Arthur of Brittany, the son of their late brother Geoffrey, whose claim was by modern standards better than John's. Significantly, the lack of any direct heirs from Richard was the first step in the dissolution of the Angevin Empire. While Kings of England continued to press claims to properties on the continent, they would never again command the territories Richard I inherited.
Richard, however, also received negative portrayals. During his life, he was criticised by writers for having taxed the church both for the Crusade and for his ransom, whereas the church and the priests were usually exempt from taxes. Though born in Oxford, he spoke no English. During his ten years' reign, he was in England for no more than six months, and was totally absent for the last five years.
Richard produced no legitimate heirs and acknowledged only one illegitimate son, Philip of Cognac. As a result, he was succeeded by his brother John as King of England. However, his French territories initially rejected John as a successor, preferring his nephew Arthur of Brittany, the son of their late brother Geoffrey, whose claim was by modern standards better than John's. Significantly, the lack of any direct heirs from Richard was the first step in the dissolution of the Angevin Empire. While Kings of England continued to press claims to properties on the continent, they would never again command the territories Richard I inherited.