Richard I of England
Richard I, known as Coeur de Lion or the Lionheart, was one of the most celebrated warrior-kings of medieval Europe. The son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, he spent most of his life fighting rather than governing, and is estimated to have spent fewer than six months of his ten-year reign in England itself. His defining achievement was leading the Third Crusade from 1190 to 1192. Despite failing to recapture Jerusalem from Saladin, Richard won a string of brilliant military victories, including the Battle of Arsuf and the recapture of Acre, and negotiated a treaty allowing Christian pilgrims access to Jerusalem. His personal duel of wits and mutual respect with Saladin became one of medieval history's most famous rivalries. Returning from the Crusade, Richard was captured by Duke Leopold of Austria and held for ransom by Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI. England paid the enormous sum of 150,000 marks to secure his release in 1194. He spent his remaining years fighting to recover his French territories and died in 1199 from a crossbow bolt wound at the minor siege of Châlus-Chabrol, reportedly forgiving the archer who shot him.
- Lived: 1157 CE – 1199 CE
- Nationality: english
- Roles: military_leader, leader
