Ratch Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 (edited) Richard I (8 September 1157 6 April 1199) was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period. By the age of sixteen, Richard was commanding his own army, putting down rebellions in Poitou against his father, King Henry II. He was known as Cur de Lion, or Richard the Lionheart, even before his accession, because of his reputation as a great military leader and warrior. In 1191 he went on crusade, marrying in Cyprus en route. The Saracens called him Melek-Ric or Malek al-Inkitar King of England. Richard was a central Christian commander during the Third Crusade, effectively leading the campaign after the departure of Philip II of France and scoring considerable victories against his Muslim counterpart, Saladin, defeating him at Arsuf and at Jaffa a year later, but was unable to reconquer Jerusalem. While attempting to return home through Germany, Richard was captured by Leopold, Duke of Austria and subsequently imprisoned by the Emporer Henry VI (1192). He was ransomed in 1194 and was able to prevent John from usurping power in England. Richard was the ideal of contemporary chivalry. Striking in appearance, ostentatious and extravagant, he was prodigious in battle but no less skilled in the arts of the troubadour. He was hot headed and cruel and won personal glory without attaining solid advantage. As king he spent barely six months in England, where his sole interest was raising money; a fact that had both political and constitutional consequences. During his absence the kingdom was governed by Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury, under whose control administrative development took place. Richard died from an arrow wound sustained while beseiging the castle of Chalez. Edited August 17, 2012 by Ratch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Ratchet, Reading your background to the Richard The Lionheart figure build bri GD back memories of MY history classes! He looks quite mean with those eyes of his. His red robe and shield are very good. Good job all round. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ratch Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 Thanks for your generous comment :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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