AncientPages.com - On July 6, 1189, young Richard I, Coeur de Lion, or Lionheart, ascended the British throne in alliance with King Philip II of France.
Richard was the third son of Henry II and the last in line to the English throne. He twice rebelled against his father before becoming King of England in 1189 but based himself in his Duchy in Aquitaine, inherited from his mother, Eleanor.
Richard, Coeur De Lion, On His Way To Jerusalem (Richard, the Lion Heart, On His Way To Jerusalem. (1850). Image credit: James William Glass - Public Domain
He spent only six months of his ten-year-long reign in England; he claimed it was "cold and always raining" there.
He acquired a reputation as a leader and warrior known as Richard' The Lion Heart' or 'Coeur de Lion.' His experience in warfare came from controlling rebellions in Poitou in the 1170s and against his father, Henry II, in 1183. Richard spoke only French.
He took up Henry's plans to recover Jerusalem on his accession in 1189 and set out to establish bases for crusades in Sicily in 1190 and Cyprus, which he took in 1191.
Engaging in the siege of Acre, which he brought to a swift conclusion, he set off down the coast to Jaffa, conducting a fighting march against Saladin. Respected by Emperor Henry and Saladin, who was his rival, Richard Icould easily disappoint many friends, especially King Philip.
He was a military mastermind and politically wise in many ways but sometimes also very foolish. He loved his family but behaved mercilessly toward his enemies. In the third Crusade 1191–92, he won victories at Cyprus, Acre, and Arsuf (against Saladin) but failed to recover Jerusalem. While returning overland, he was
Captured by the Duke of Austria, Richard I was handed over to the emperor Henry VI while returning overland. He was held prisoner until a ransom was raised.
He returned briefly to England on his release, where his brother John had been ruling in his stead. He spent later years in warfare in France.
Richard died on April 6, 1199, by a crossbow bolt while besieging Châlus-Chabrol, France, and was buried next to his father at Fontevraud Abbey near Chinon and Saumur, France. It is said that he summoned Pierre Basile, the crossbowman who had delivered the fatal wound to his bedside and was so impressed with the man's refusal to be cowed that he pardoned him.
He left no heir.
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