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| Depiction in the Brief Abridgement of the Chronicles of England (c. 1259) |
Birth name: Richard Beaumont Plantagenest d'Angevin
Born: 08 September 1157, Beaumont, Oxfordshire, Kingdom of England
Father: King Henry II of England 'Curtmantle'
Mother: Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine
House: Plantagenet
Nationality: Angevin
Religion: Catholicism
Claim: Child of Henry II 'Curtmantle'
Reign: 03 September 1189 - 06 April 1199 (9 years)
Coronation: 03 September 1189
Predecessor: Henry II 'Curtmantle'
Successor: John 'Lackland'
Died: 06 April 1199 (aged 41), Châlus, Duchy of Aquitaine, Kingdom of France
Cause: Gangrene infection
Burial: Fontevraud Abbey
Motto: God and my right
Spouse(s):
- Princess Berengaria of Navarre (m. 1191 - 1199)
Children:
- With Unknown Woman
- Philip FitzRichard of Cognac (c. 1180 - c. 1211)
Appearance:
He was reported to have been incredibly handsome, and likely possessed strawberry-blond hair. He was also described as having a pale complexion, and possibly had either blue or grey eyes.
His height is not known, though he was rumoured to have been tall for the time period.
Richard was also described as having an elegant build, with long limbs that were advantageous when fighting.
Character:
He is most well known for his bravery, which earned him the nicknames 'the lion' or 'the lionheart'. He was a skilled fighter and military leader, and was also known for his chivalry. He was also reported to be very generous.
However, Richard was also known for his cruelty, brutally suppressing any rebellions.
Despite his crusade, he was not popular with the Church due to his heavy taxation of the institution, especially since churches were usually exempt from taxation.
Richard was an avid poet, enjoyed reading, and wrote many pieces himself. He also enjoyed music.
It's possible, and often argued, that Richard was bisexual or homosexual, though the former is more likely as he did sire an illegitimate child and was known to sleep around with local women during his travels.
Biography:
Richard was born in the Kingdom of England in 1157, and was the son of King Henry II of England and his wife, Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine. He was never expected to become king as he already had an older brother, however, he would remain his mother's favourite throughout his life.
Not much is known about his early life other than that he spent his early childhood in the care of his wet nurse. The extent of his education is also not known, and it's possible that he never learned much English. This would often come to be used against him to challenge his position, especially by his younger brother, John.
There were a few potential marriage candidates considered for Richard, including the daughter of the Count of Barcelona. Eventually, Richard was betrothed to Princess Alys, daughter of the French king in order to try and help unite the two dynasties who were frequently in conflict with each other. While it was decided that Richard's older brother, Prince Henry the Young King, would become King of England upon their father's death, it was also decided that Richard would inherit his mother's titles and lands within Aquitaine and Poitiers. In 1171, Richard and his mother toured the Duchy of Aquitaine, and introduced him to the population.
There were a few potential marriage candidates considered for Richard, including the daughter of the Count of Barcelona. Eventually, Richard was betrothed to Princess Alys, daughter of the French king in order to try and help unite the two dynasties who were frequently in conflict with each other. While it was decided that Richard's older brother, Prince Henry the Young King, would become King of England upon their father's death, it was also decided that Richard would inherit his mother's titles and lands within Aquitaine and Poitiers. In 1171, Richard and his mother toured the Duchy of Aquitaine, and introduced him to the population.
The next year, he was officially recognised as the Duke of Aquitaine, and the Count of Poitiers.
Meanwhile, his older brother wanted more independence in England, and began to rebel against their father. It's possible that their mother also helped stir tension between them. Richard and their younger brother, Geoffrey, would eventually join in Henry's rebellion against their father, and gain support from the Kingdom of France, Kingdom of Scotland, as well as several members of the nobility both from England, and on the continent. Their mother also joined the rebellion until her capture. Richard's father attempted to make peace with them, but the French King advised them to refuse.
Meanwhile, his older brother wanted more independence in England, and began to rebel against their father. It's possible that their mother also helped stir tension between them. Richard and their younger brother, Geoffrey, would eventually join in Henry's rebellion against their father, and gain support from the Kingdom of France, Kingdom of Scotland, as well as several members of the nobility both from England, and on the continent. Their mother also joined the rebellion until her capture. Richard's father attempted to make peace with them, but the French King advised them to refuse.
His father was able to defeat the rebel forces, and he, his elder brother, and the French King, were eventually able to make peace. This left Richard isolated, and he returned to England in 1174, where he broke down in front of his father and begged for his forgiveness in front of the English court; a forgiveness which was accepted with a kiss.
However, Richard and his brothers were still punished in the form of confiscated land, decreased income, and the loss of castles. Richard's mother would also remain imprisoned by his father. In 1175, Richard was forced to return to Aquitaine and punish those who had assisted him in his rebellion. During this time, Richard's father also took his fiancee as his mistress, meaning that it was now forbidden in Catholic law for Richard to marry Princess Alys.
Back on the continent, Richard became a crueller ruler within Aquitaine, which decreased his popularity and caused rebellions against him. Richard would then rebel against his father once again, though the death of his eldest brother put a brief stop to this. Thus, Richard was now next in line for the throne, and despite this, the conflict continued, with Richard being ordered to give up Aquitaine by both his parents. In retaliation, Richard once again allied himself with France.
In 1189, Richard's father died, and he became King Richard I of England. His coronation witnessed serious and disastrous event in which Jewish leaders arrived to present gifts to the new king, but were thrown out. This led to a rumour that Richard had ordered the killing of the Jewish population within London, so they began to attack the homes of Jewish residents, attempted to forcibly converted them, and even murdered some of them. Horrified, Richard intervened and punished those responsible for the attacks, while also ordering that the Jewish population be left alone.
After this, Richard would not spend much time in England, and had little interest in governing the kingdom. He raised as much money as he could, even reportedly saying that he would have sold London if he could find a buyer in order to fund his crusade plans.
Back on the continent, Richard became a crueller ruler within Aquitaine, which decreased his popularity and caused rebellions against him. Richard would then rebel against his father once again, though the death of his eldest brother put a brief stop to this. Thus, Richard was now next in line for the throne, and despite this, the conflict continued, with Richard being ordered to give up Aquitaine by both his parents. In retaliation, Richard once again allied himself with France.
In 1189, Richard's father died, and he became King Richard I of England. His coronation witnessed serious and disastrous event in which Jewish leaders arrived to present gifts to the new king, but were thrown out. This led to a rumour that Richard had ordered the killing of the Jewish population within London, so they began to attack the homes of Jewish residents, attempted to forcibly converted them, and even murdered some of them. Horrified, Richard intervened and punished those responsible for the attacks, while also ordering that the Jewish population be left alone.
After this, Richard would not spend much time in England, and had little interest in governing the kingdom. He raised as much money as he could, even reportedly saying that he would have sold London if he could find a buyer in order to fund his crusade plans.
Sometime during this period, he also became engaged to Princess Berengaria of Navarre, who he had met on a previous occasion, with the two of them becoming quite good friends. However, she was captured along with his sister, Princess Joan, in Cyprus while on route to the Holy Land. Richard was able to rescue them and conquer the island, and both he and Berengaria married on the island in 1191, though he was still technically engaged to Princess Alys of France. Richard and Berengaria, however, would rarely get to spend any time together, and their marriage did not produce any children. Though Richard did have one illegitimate son born before his marriage.
While on crusade, Richard contracted scurvy, and continued fighting, even while having to be carried in a stretcher. The Christian and Muslim forces were able to reach a truce in 1192, allowing for the passage of Christians once again into Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Richard was forced to attempt a return to England, as his brother, John, had been causing trouble and attempting to usurp him. During his return voyage, Richard became shipwrecked and was forced to return in disguise through Europe, but ended up being captured in Austria. His brother, John, tried to declare that Richard was dead, but news of his imprisonment soon reached England, and Richard was held for ransom and kept chained up by the Holy Roman Emperor. Richard's mother attempted to raise the money for his ransom, which was successful. He was then able to make peace with John, despite everything that happened. Richard would even recognise John as his regent while he left England once again for military campaigns.
In 1199, while suppressing a revolt within the Angevin Empire, Richard was shot in the shoulder by a crossbow by a boy who wanted revenge for his father's death. Though the shot itself did not kill Richard, the wound turned gangrenous. Richard likely realised that he did not have long left to live, so he ordered that the boy be brought before him. Richard forgave him, freed him from his imprisonment and offered him money.
While on crusade, Richard contracted scurvy, and continued fighting, even while having to be carried in a stretcher. The Christian and Muslim forces were able to reach a truce in 1192, allowing for the passage of Christians once again into Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Richard was forced to attempt a return to England, as his brother, John, had been causing trouble and attempting to usurp him. During his return voyage, Richard became shipwrecked and was forced to return in disguise through Europe, but ended up being captured in Austria. His brother, John, tried to declare that Richard was dead, but news of his imprisonment soon reached England, and Richard was held for ransom and kept chained up by the Holy Roman Emperor. Richard's mother attempted to raise the money for his ransom, which was successful. He was then able to make peace with John, despite everything that happened. Richard would even recognise John as his regent while he left England once again for military campaigns.
In 1199, while suppressing a revolt within the Angevin Empire, Richard was shot in the shoulder by a crossbow by a boy who wanted revenge for his father's death. Though the shot itself did not kill Richard, the wound turned gangrenous. Richard likely realised that he did not have long left to live, so he ordered that the boy be brought before him. Richard forgave him, freed him from his imprisonment and offered him money.
Richard would then die in the arms of his mother.
Rule:
Though Richard has become somewhat of a legendary figure within English history, the reality is that he was not particularly successful as a ruler. He spent most of his reign abroad, fighting in the crusades and displayed little interest in his kingdom.
He mistreated the Jewish population by throwing them out of his coronation, despite them turning up to support his ascension to the throne. This encouraged the English population to respond violently, though luckily, this did seem to be where Richard drew the line, as he ordered for the Jewish population to be left alone, and enacted laws to protect them, though these would remain largely ineffective. Richard was even more brutal towards Muslims, executing thousands of them during his time in the crusade.
However, he was popular in his time for his dedication to Christianity and crusades. He was also viewed as generous by his people, and the kingdom was greatly worried when news of his capture reached them.
But overall, he possesses little achievements while on the throne, regardless of his popularity.
Trivia:
- Despite Richard forgiving the boy who had shot him, after his death, the boy would be flayed alive and then hanged in retribution.
Quotes:
"If it had not been for his malice, forcing me to return, I would have been able to recover the whole of Outremer. Then, when I was in prison, he conspired to keep me there so that he could steal my lands."
"Stick to your own grammar, my lord, for it is much better."
"I would have sold London if I could find a buyer."
"They loved me dearly, but now they love me not at all. The plains are empty of beautiful armour, because I am taken captive."
Timeline of Reign:
| 1189: Anti-Jewish violence - Many Jewish people forcibly converted or murdered.
| 1189: The Quitclaim of Canterbury - Treaty signed by Richard to grant Scotland its independence.
| 1190: Richard joins the Third Crusade - Richard departs England for the Holy Land.
| 1190: Capture of Messina - Land in Sicily captured by Richard.
| 1191: Capture of Cyprus - Richard captures Cyprus to rescue his fiancee and his sister.
| 1191: Siege of Acre - Crusaders hold Acre under siege.
| 1191: Massacre of Muslims - Richard orders the murder of 2500 Muslim prisoners.
| 1191: Battle of Arsuf - Saladin, Sultan of Egypt and Syria defeated by Richard.
| 1192: Battle of Jaffa - Saladin defeated by Richard.
| 1192: Richard is shipwrecked - Upon his return from the crusade, Richard becomes shipwrecked.
| 1192: Richard is kidnapped - Richard is held for ransom by Emperor Henry VI of Germany.
| 1194: Richard is released - Once the ransom is paid by his mother, Richard is finally released.
| 1194: Campaigns against France - Richard begins military campaigns against France.
| 1199: Siege of Châlus - Richard besieges castle where he would be fatally wounded.
Sources & Further Reading:
Johnson, B (2019). Richard the Lionheart, King of England. Historic UK. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Richard-Lionheart/
Usilton, L. W (2024) Richard I | EBSCO. EBSCO Information Services, Inc. | www.ebsco.com. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/richard-i
Richard I. (n.d.). Westminster Abbey. https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/royals/richard-i
Richard I of England in the Brief Abridgement of the Chronicles of England.jpg - Wikimedia Commons. (2022). Wikimedia.org. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richard_I_of_England_in_the_Brief_Abridgement_of_the_Chronicles_of_England.jpg
Wallis, G. (2019). Richard I | Biography, Achievements, & Facts. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Richard-I-king-of-England
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