Richard I (1157-1199), later known as the “Lion Heart”, was a king of England from 1189 until his death in 1199. Remembered as a great military leader and warrior, skillful politician and as a brilliant military strategist, Richard the Lion Heart came to be known as the Lion Heart. As king, he spent 6 months of his 10 year reign in England. His reign was so important to England that his statue still stands in front of the house of parliament in London.
Richard, the son two paramount historical figures of the medieval period, Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, was born on September 8th 1157 in Oxford. Joining his brothers in the great rebellion against their father in 1173. When his brother Henry died in 1183, Richard was left heir to the throne.
When Henry II wanted to give Aquitaine to his youngest son, John. Richard joined forces with Philip II of France and attacked his father, resulting in his death in July of 1189.
Prompted by Saladin’s capture of Jerusalem in 1187, Richard’s chief ambition was to join the Third Crusade. He arrived in the Holy Land in June 1191 and helped in the fall of Acre fell the following month. In September, his victory at Arsuf gave the crusaders possession of Joppa. Although he came close, Jerusalem, the crusade’s main objective, eluded him. Moreover, fierce quarrels among the French, German and English contingents provided further troubles. After a year’s stalemate, Richard made a truce with Saladin and started his journey home, during which he was captured by Duke Leopold of Austria and was eventually ransomed for the massive sum of 150,000 marks. He was released in February 1194. A month, Richard the Lion Heart went to Normandy never to return.
Diameter: 5 inches