Richard I of England

Reign: 1189 – 1199
Life: 1157–1199

He was known as Richard the Lionheart or Richard Cœur de Lion. He was the third of five sons of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine and was therefore not expected to become king, but his two elder brothers predeceased their father. By the age of 16, Richard had taken command of his own army, putting down rebellions in Poitou against his father. Richard was an important Christian commander during the Third Crusade, leading the campaign after the departure of Philip II of France. Despite achieving several victories against his Muslim counterpart, Saladin, he was ultimately forced to end his campaign without retaking Jerusalem. Richard probably spoke both French and Occitan, and based on the testimony of Roger of Howden, most likely understood Middle English.

During Richard I of England's reign, Alfonso VIII of Castile ruled Spain, Sancho I of Portugal ruled Portugal, and Minamoto no Yoritomo ruled Japan (Shogunate).

Want to learn more? Further reading

Richard the Lionheart by John Gillingham

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Richard the Lionheart

John Gillingham

Gillingham dismantles the Robin Hood myth and restores Richard as a formidable Crusader king.

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