Richard I
Best known as: Brave English king who led the Third Crusade
Occupation: Royalty, military leader
Also known as: Richard the Lionheart, Richard Coeur de Lion, or simply King Richard
Nationality: English
Religion: Christian
Born: September 8, 1157, in Oxford, England
Died: April 6, 1199, of battle wounds
Reign: 1189-1199
Short biography:
Richard the Lionheart was exceptionally brave and loved fighting, which he was very good at. With the help of his mother, the famous Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, he took power from his father, Henry II, and became king of England in 1189. In 1190, Richard led the Third Crusade, a heroic attempt to seize Jerusalem from the Muslims. Unfortunately, Richard failed to capture Jerusalem, but he did conquer Messina and Cyprus. While Richard was away on the crusade, his brother John conspired with the French king, Phillip II, to seize the throne. After being held prisoner by Henry VI, the Holy Roman Emperor, Richard returned to England and took back the throne from his brother.
Wife: Berengaria of Navarre
Friends: Frederick Barbarossa
Parents: Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II
Siblings: three sisters and four brothers, the most notable of whom was Prince John
Enemies: Phillip II of France, Saladin, Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI
