Author: RICHARD I, King of England
Biography:
RICHARD I, King of England (1157-99: ODNB)
The third son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, he was born in Oxford on 8 Sept. 1157. He seems to have been well-educated and was fluent in both classical and modern languages. He was betrothed to Alix, daughter of Louis VII of France, and made the Duke of Aquitaine in 1172. Richard came to be known as a fierce warrior and skilled leader but he was in conflict first with his elder brother—who sought Aquitaine for himself—and, later, with his father. After his brothers’ deaths, it was Richard who succeeded to the throne on the death of Henry II in 1189 and he was crowned at Westminster on 3 Sept. Although his reputation has waxed and waned over the centuries, he is now generally believed to have been an efficient king whose circumstances forced him to consider not only England but also the wider geopolitical context. Richard’s immediate goal on becoming king was to build a fleet and army for a successful crusade against Saladin. He also recognised the prudence of a successful alliance with Sancho VI of Navarre and, breaking the betrothal to Alix, in 1191 he married Sancho’s sister Berengaria; they had no children. Richard joined the army besieging Acre in the same year and Saladin capitulated. It was when Richard was travelling overland back to England that he was taken captive and imprisoned in Germany. The translator—possibly Isaac Watts—of Walter and William states that this is when Richard composed the ballad included in this database; it, unlike Richard’s other verse, was originally written in German not French. He was freed in 1193 only on payment of a large ransom. Richard briefly returned to England but he soon set off for Normandy. There on 26 Mar. 1199 he was wounded; he died of infection on 6 Apr. and was buried in the abbey church of Fontevrault beside his father. Known in his lifetime as Coeur de Lion, Richard became enduringly famous after death for his warrior character and deeds—although he was also seen as a king who was often absent from the kingdom he used to bankroll his exploits. The provenance of Walter and William is not known but the association with Richard is traditional. (ODNB 21 Jan. 2025)
Other Names:
- Richard Coeur de Lion