Richard the Lionheart: Uncovering the Man Behind the Legend in 90 Facts

From battles and conquests to legends and lore, explore 90 fascinating facts about King Richard Lionheart.

1. Richard was born in Oxford, England, in 1157.
2. His full name was Richard I, King of England, also known as Richard the Lionheart.
3. He was the third son of King Henry II and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.
4. Richard had a reputation as a skilled military commander and warrior.
5. He was the first English king to participate in the Crusades.
6. Richard was crowned King of England in 1189 after the death of his father, Henry II.
7. He spent only six months of his 10-year reign in England.
8. Richard’s reign was marked by frequent wars, both in England and abroad.
9. Richard was known for his love of hunting and his skill as a falconer.
10. He was also an accomplished musician and composer.
11. Richard’s most famous military campaign was the Third Crusade.
12. During the Third Crusade, Richard defeated Saladin, the Muslim leader of Egypt and Syria.
13. Richard negotiated a treaty with Saladin that allowed Christian pilgrims to visit Jerusalem.
14. Richard was captured and imprisoned in Austria while returning from the Third Crusade.
15. His brother, John, took the throne while he was imprisoned.
16. Richard was ransomed for a huge sum of money and released from captivity.
17. He returned to England in 1194.
18. Richard died in 1199 at the age of 41 from an arrow wound received while besieging a castle in France.
19. Richard had no legitimate children and was succeeded by his brother, John.
20. Richard’s reputation as a warrior and leader has endured through the centuries.
21. Richard was said to have had a romantic relationship with King Philip II of France.
22. Richard was also rumoured to have had a romantic relationship with his cousin, Berengaria of Navarre, whom he married in 1191.
23. Richard was known for his chivalry and courage in battle.
24. He was also known for his hot temper and impulsive behaviour.
25. Richard was a patron of the arts and literature.
26. He commissioned the building of Château Gaillard, a fortress in Normandy.
27. Richard was an early adopter of the longbow, a weapon that would become a staple of English armies.
28. Richard was known for his love of luxury and fine clothing.
29. He was often depicted wearing a coat of chain mail over a tunic made of silk or velvet.
30. Richard was a skilled negotiator and diplomat.
31. He negotiated with the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa, to allow his army to pass through his territory on the way to the Holy Land.
32. Richard was also known for his generosity, often giving money and land to his supporters and allies.
33. Richard’s nickname, “Lionheart,” was earned because of his bravery in battle.
34. He was also known as “Coeur de Lion” in French.
35. Richard was an advocate of the troubadour tradition of courtly love.
36. He was a patron of the troubadour Bertran de Born.
37. Richard was also a patron of the poet Blondel de Nesle, who was said to have helped locate him when he was imprisoned.
38. Richard’s mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was a powerful queen in her own right.
39. She supported Richard’s military campaigns and negotiated his release from captivity.
40. Richard was a devout Christian and was known for his piety.
41. He was also known for his devotion to the Virgin Mary.
42. Richard was a member of the House of Plantagenet, one of the most powerful royal families in Europe at the time.
43. Richard’s father, Henry II, was known for his conflict with Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
44. Richard’s brother, John, would become one of England’s most unpopular kings.
45. Richard was excommunicated by the Pope for his treatment of Christian prisoners during the Third Crusade.
46. Richard’s sister, Joanna, was queen of Sicily.
47. Richard’s grandmother, Matilda of England, was the daughter of William the Conqueror.
48. Richard was a skilled sailor and naval commander.
49. He commanded a fleet that defeated a larger French fleet in the Battle of Gisors in 1198.
50. Richard was known for his close relationship with his mother, Queen Eleanor.
51. He was also close to his sister, Joanna.
52. Richard’s father, Henry II, was known for his philandering and had several illegitimate children.
53. Richard’s mother, Eleanor, was imprisoned by her husband for supporting her sons’ rebellion against him.
54. Richard was one of the wealthiest monarchs of his time, with a personal fortune estimated at £1.5 million.
55. He was known for his love of treasure and was said to have taken a vast amount of loot from the cities he conquered during the Third Crusade.
56. Richard was also said to have owned a menagerie of exotic animals, including lions and elephants.
57. Richard was a skilled horseman and was often depicted riding a white horse.
58. He was said to have owned a stable of over 300 horses.
59. Richard was the subject of many legends and stories, including the story of Robin Hood.
60. He was said to have been a skilled archer and to have won a shooting contest while in disguise as a commoner.
61. Richard was also said to have slain a dragon in one of his adventures.
62. Richard was the subject of several films and plays, including the 1938 film “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” in which he was played by actor Ian Hunter.
63. Richard was said to have had a close relationship with his foster-brother, William Marshal, who would go on to become one of England’s greatest knights.
64. Richard’s tomb is located in the cathedral at Rouen, France.
65. Richard was known for his flamboyant dress sense and was often depicted wearing a crown and carrying a scepter.
66. Richard was the first king to use the royal coat of arms, which featured three lions.
67. Richard was a skilled linguist and was said to have been able to speak French, Occitan, Latin, and Arabic.
68. Richard’s reign saw the construction of many castles in England and France, including the Tower of London and the castle at Chinon.
69. Richard was said to have been a patron of the arts and sciences, supporting scholars and artists in his court.
70. Richard was known for his bravery in battle and was said to have fought with a battle-axe in addition to his sword.
71. Richard was said to have been a fan of the sport of jousting and to have participated in several tournaments.
72. Richard was said to have been deeply religious and to have worn a hairshirt under his clothing as a penance for his sins.
73. Richard was known for his generosity to the poor and was said to have given money to beggars on his way to church.
74. Richard was said to have been a skilled strategist and to have employed tactics such as feigned retreats to lure his enemies into traps.
75. Richard was known for his love of adventure and was said to have gone on many quests and expeditions throughout his life.
76. Richard was known for his sense of humour and was said to have enjoyed playing practical jokes on his friends and courtiers.
77. Richard was said to have been a skilled chess player and to have played the game with his fellow monarchs during the Crusades.
78. Richard was known for his patronage of the Order of Knights Templar, a military order of monks that fought in the Crusades.
79. Richard was said to have been a patron of the legendary wizard Merlin, whom he consulted for advice.
80. Richard was known for his love of wine and was said to have had a personal wine cellar that could hold over 200,000 bottles.
81. Richard was said to have been a skilled falconer and to have owned a collection of exotic birds.
82. Richard was known for his physical prowess and was said to have been able to bend a horseshoe with his bare hands.
83. Richard was said to have been a skilled wrestler and to have defeated several opponents in wrestling matches.
84. Richard was known for his courage in the face of danger and was said to have walked unarmed through the enemy lines during a battle in France.
85. Richard was said to have been a skilled horse trainer and to have bred horses for his army.
86. Richard was known for his love of adventure stories and was said to have read the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
87. Richard was said to have had a fondness for exotic pets, including a lion and a bear that he kept as pets.
88. Richard was known for his interest in alchemy and was said to have owned a collection of alchemical texts.
89. Richard was said to have been a skilled swordsmith and to have crafted several swords for his knights.
90. Richard was known for his love of his kingdom and his people and was said to have worked tirelessly to protect England from its enemies.