Richard+I

 Born in 1157, Richard I of England was the third legitimate son of King Henry II and @Eleanor of Aquitaine. Named Duke of Acquitaine in 1172, and acting as his father’s viceroy there from 1175 onward, Richard spent a great deal of time on the European continent, away from England. After his father died in 1189, Richard ascended to King of England. Eager to embark on a crusade very shortly after his coronation, his first visit to England as king lasted only four months. In July 1990, he embarked with Phillip II Augustus, King of France, on the Third Crusade. **Warrior** Richard’s direct and enthusiastic involvement in military activity has earned him the reputation of a warrior king, Couer deLion. Ambroise recorded a history of Richard Lion-heart’s crusadein an epic poem, which asserted that “the whole world o’er / There was no mightier warrior.” In William de Newburgh’s [|history of England], written in the twelfth century, Richard I is described as a “courageous monarch”. Admiration for Richard I has continued for centuries. Twentieth-century biographer Peter Henderson identifies him as an “outstanding” military engineer and tactician. John Gillingham and Richard A. Griffiths praise King Richard as “unique among the kings of England” for playing “an active leading role”. **Administrator** Although traditionally considered a warrior king, recent scholarship has acknowledged Richard's administrative role. Upon his coronation, Richard I sold offices, fiefs, lands, even castles to raise finances, particularly to fund his crusade. During his time in England, he was directly involved in the appointment of sheriffs and bishops, a tactic that would assure loyalty and commitment to the king, strengthening the unity of Angevin-ruled territories in Britain and France, if only temporarily. The arrangements Richard made before leaving England meant that a stable government was successfully maintained in his absences, despite attempts from Richard’s brother, John, and King Philip II, to usurp power. The economy was also notably stable despite heavy taxation. Had the king returned in January 1993 as intended, his empire would have been found intact. **Hostage** Richard, however, was captured in December 1192 by Humbold (or Leopold), duke of Austria, and was then transferred to the custody of the Holy Roman Emperor. He remained captive in Germany until February 1994, during which time John and Philip II again attempted to usurp his power. During Richard’s imprisonment, his loyal agents managed to contain John’s revolt in England, however, Philip II was more successful in capturing territory in France. After 100, 000 marks were paid, merely two-thirds of the total ransom, Richard was released and returned briefly to England.

**End** This, his last visit, lasted two months, before the King returned to the continent to recover lost territory. Richard the Lionheart died in 1199, resulting from wounds received at the siege of Chalus-Chabrol. Richard was succeeded by his brother, John, due to lack of a legitimate heir. A popular twentieth-century theory holds Richard as a homosexual, possibly explaining his lack of legitimate children.   