Richard I, of EnglandRichard I was born at Beaumont Palace in Oxford, England on September 8, 1157. He was the third son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. He had 3 older siblings and 5 younger siblings. King Henry grew up in Normandy and began training for knighthood, and he proved to be a fierce fighter. As well as being an educated man, able to compose poetry in French and Provençal, he was also very attractive; blond, blue-eyed, his height estimated at six feet four inches. From an early age he appeared to have significant political and military abilities, became noted for his chivalry and courage, but he also lacked foresight an ...view middle of the document...
On June 11, 1183, Richard's older brother and successor to the throne of England, Henry the "Young King" died. In 1187, the Third Crusade was ordered, and the next year Richard's other older brother, Geoffrey died and Richard became the successor to be king of England. On July 6, 1189, Henry II, King of England died of fever in Chinon and Richard I succeeded him as King of England. Upon Henry II's death Richard I was crowned Duke of Normandy, and Count of Anjou. In September, Richard was crowned King of England in Westminster. Throughout his rule of ten years, he was only present in England for six months.On the fourth of July, 1190, Richard began his Crusade. In 1191 his fleet left Sicily, and in the same year Richard married Bernegaria of Navarre. Richard then took control of Cyprus and attacked Acre at Tyre. On his return from the Third Crusade, Richard was taken prisoner in Austria; the ransom was paid and Richard returned home safely. In the later years of his life, Richard came into conflict with his old ally, King Phillip of France. The King attacked the Chateau Gaillard in Normandy which was built to protect his domain. On April 6, 1199, King Richard I was killed by an arrow at the siege of the castle of Chaluz in France. Richard left the throne to his younger brother John.Richard was a purely military man. His military exploits gained the respect of many. Eventually acquired the nickname LionHeart (which in French, would be Coeur de Lion) for his courage and prowess on the battlefield.
