Richard I

Richard I (1157-99), King of England, b. Oxford, England.

Richard I, known as Coeur de Lion or 'Lionheart' for his bravery in battle, reigned from 1189-99. But he spent less than a year of his reign in England.

First he took part in the Third Crusade (1189-92) in which he captured Acre and made a treaty with Saladin.

On his way back to England, Richard was kidnapped and a ransom of 150,000 marks had to be paid to the Emperor of Germany for his release.

In England, his brother John was trying to sieze the throne, and Richard sent him into exile. Then he himself went to France.

Barons were rebelling in the parts of France ruled by England, and were being helped by the King of France, Philip Augustus. Richard remained in France with an army for the next five years. Then he was fatally wounded by an arrow from a crossbow.

See Richard I (The English Monarchs Series) ~ John Gillingham