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Richard I
Church of Fontevraud Abbey Richard I effigy.jpg
Effigy (c. 1199) of Richard I at Fontevraud Abbey, Anjou
King of England (more..)
Reign 3 September 1189 – 6 April 1199
Coronation 3 September 1189
Predecessor Henry II
Successor John
Regent
Born 8 September 1157
Beaumont Palace, Oxford, England
Died 6 April 1199 (aged 41)
Châlus, Duchy of Aquitaine
Burial Fontevraud Abbey, Anjou, France
Spouse
(m. 1191)
Issue Philip of Cognac (illegitimate)
House PlantagenetAngevin
Father Henry II of England
Mother Eleanor of Aquitaine
Military career
Battles/wars Third Crusade

Richard I (born 8 September 1157, died 6 April 1199) was the King of England from 1189 until his death. He was also a powerful ruler in France, holding titles like Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine. Richard was the third of five sons born to King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. It was not expected that he would become king. However, his older brothers passed away before their father. Richard is famously known as Richard the Lionheart (or Richard Cœur de Lion in French). This nickname came from his reputation as a brave military leader and a strong warrior.

A Young Warrior King

Richard showed his military skills from a young age.

Early Military Experience

By the time he was 16, Richard was already leading his own army. He successfully put down rebellions in a region of France called Poitou. These rebellions were against his own father, King Henry II.

Leading the Third Crusade

Richard became a very important Christian commander during the Third Crusade. This was a series of religious wars. He took charge of the campaign after the King of France, Philip II of France, left. Richard won many important battles against his Muslim opponent, Saladin. Even though he achieved great victories, he signed a peace treaty and ended the Crusade without taking back Jerusalem.

Life as King

Richard was born in England and spent his childhood there. However, he lived most of his adult life in France, especially in the Duchy of Aquitaine.

Why So Little Time in England?

After he became king, Richard spent very little time in England. Some say it was as little as six months! Most of his time as king was spent fighting in the Crusades, being held captive, or defending his lands in France. He seemed to see England mostly as a way to get money to pay for his armies. He did not feel he needed to be present in England to rule.

Richard's Legacy

Despite spending little time in England, his people saw him as a brave and religious hero. Richard is one of the few English kings who is better known by his nickname, "the Lionheart," than by his official number. He remains an important and famous figure in both England and France.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ricardo I de Inglaterra para niños

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