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Richard I Coeur de Lion, King of England Richard, the son of
Henry II and
Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, was born at Beaumont Palace, Oxford, September 8
1157.
Richard I Richard I succeeded his father, Henry II, to the English throne in December 1154. He is often portrayed as an English hero. His statue stands outside the House of Lords in Westminster, London. In fact he spent little time in England after his coronation. He sided with Philippe II of France against his father and helped lead the Third Crusade against the Muslims. Though his military skills were not in doubt, Richard annoyed other crusaders, including Leopold V of Austria who arrested Richard when he passed through Austria.
Above: Schloss Durnstein
Retained a prisoner for 17 months, much of the time at Schloss Durnstein, he was only allowed to return to England on payment of a large ransom. Meanwhile, Richard's possessions on the Continent were under threat from Philippe II, and he left England to fight the French king. During the siege of Chalus in April 1199, Richard I was hit in the shoulder by an arrow. The wound turned gangrenous and he died a few days later. He was buried in Fontevraud Abbey. Berengaria died in about 1230. They had no children and Richard was succeeded by his younger brother, John.
Chalus-Chabrol, where Richard I was mortally wounded.
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