Full Name: Richard I
Profession: King of England
Biography: Richard the Lionheart reigned as King of England from 1189, when he inherited the throne from his father Henry II of England, until his death in 1199. He was given the title Richard Cœur de Lion, or Richard the Lionheart, as a result of his reputation as a warrior and military leader.
Richard attained to military command very early, leading his first army at age 16 to put down a rebellion against his father. He went on to be the key Christian commander during the Third Crusade, in which he achieved several major victories against Saladin.
While Richard seemed to have little interest in ruling his lands, he used their wealth to military ends which earned him much renown among the people. He was seen as a hero for his defense of the realm and fighting in the Holy Land.
Born: September 8, 1157
Birthplace: Oxford, England
Star Sign: Virgo
Died: April 6, 1199 (aged 41)
Cause of Death: Infection after being wounded by a crossbow
Articles and Photos
The Most Expensive Divorce in History
Beautiful and rich, Eleanor of Aquitaine had one fault according to the King of France: she had not produced a son. So on this day they were divorced.
March 21, 1152
Enter King John – England's Worst-Ever Monarch
Most historians have difficulty finding a good word to say about King John who was born on this day and by general agreement ranks as England’s worst monarch.
December 24, 1167
The Queen Who Never Saw Her Realm
Born in Spain, married in Cyprus, died in France, this wife of a warrior king was never to set foot in the land where she was hailed as Queen.
May 12, 1191
Lionheart Richard, The Stranger King
Richard the Lionheart, Robin Hood’s king is considered one of the great English monarchs. Yet he cost his country a fortune and barely lived there.
April 6, 1199
Married Life
- 1191-05-12 Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre in Cyprus
Historical Events
- 1189-07-06 Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England, upon the death of King Henry II
- 1189-09-03 Richard the Lionheart is crowned in Westminster. 30 Jews are massacred after the coronation - Richard ordered the perpetrators be executed
- 1191-06-08 King Richard I of England arrives at Acre in modern day Israel to join the Siege of Acre during the Third Crusade
- 1191-07-12 Third Crusade: City of Acre surrenders to English King Richard I the Lionheart and the Crusaders after a siege of nearly two years
- 1191-08-20 2,000 Muslim prisoners killed after the Siege of Acre, reportedly on the orders of Crusader King Richard I, during the Third Crusade
- 1191-09-07 Third Crusade: Richard I of England defeats Saladin in the Battle of Arsuf
- 1192-09-02 Sultan Saladin and King Richard the Lionheart of England sign treaty over Jerusalem, at end of the Third Crusade
- 1192-09-21 English King Richard I the Lion hearted, captured by Leopold V, Duke of Austria
- 1192-10-09 Richard I leaves the Holy Land for England after initiating a three-year truce ending the third crusade
- 1192-12-20 Richard the Lionhearted captured near Vienna by Leopold of Austria on his way home from the Third Crusade (released 1194)
- 1194-02-04 Ransom of 100,000 pounds of silver is paid for release of Richard I, King of England, to Holy Roman Emperor Henry V
- 1194-05-02 King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter
- 1199-03-25 King Richard I (the Lion Heart) of England, is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting France, leads to his death on April 6
- 1199-05-27 John crowned King of England after the death of his brother Richard I
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