Richard I (the Lionheart)

Richard I (the Lionheart) (1157–99) King of England (1189–99). Richard I was the third son of HENRY II and ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE. He was made Duke of Aquitaine at the age of twelve and in 1173 joined his brothers in their rebellion against Henry. Richard spent only six months of his life in England. Soon after his coronation he left with the Third CRUSADE and in Palestine in 1191 he captured Acre and defeated SALADIN at Arsuf. The following year, after concluding a three-year truce with Saladin, he set out overland for England. He was imprisoned by Emperor Henry VI of Austria and, according to widespread legend, his whereabouts were discovered by the Minstrel Blondel. In 1194 England paid a ransom of £100,000 for his release. During his absence his brother JOHN had allied himself with PHILIP II of France against him. Within a few weeks of his return he began the military campaigns for the defence of Normandy against Philip that led eventually to his death whilst attacking the castle at Châlus. Richard's military exploits earned him the nickname Coeur de Lion (French, “Lionheart”). However, his absence abroad led to a growth in the power of the barons, a problem inherited by JOHN.