Description

It has been said of Richard I of England that he was ‘a bad son, a bad husband, and a bad king – but a gallant and splendid soldier.’ However, he was a popular ruler and an exceptionally strong leader. In addition to being King of England, Richard was Duke of Aquitaine and Normandy, Count of Anjou, Maine and Naves. In fact, England owned more French land than was owned by France.

It is reported that he carried with him the remarkable Roman, ‘Vegetius De Re Militari’ as his ‘bible’. This work was written in about 390AD as a compilation of military wisdom and customs of the Romans and remained as the single most influential military work in the western world for over one and a half millennia.

His leadership in the 3rd Crusade demonstrated physical courage on the battlefield as well as knowledge of tactics and logistics.

At the battle of Acre in 1191 Richard, Philip of France and Leopold of Austria joined forces against the Saracens. Richard grievously offended Leopold after the victorious battle when he removed the Duke’s flag among celebratory banners. The insulted Duke collected his troops, left the Middle East. Leopold’s opportunity for vengence came when Richard returned from the Crusades in 1191 to deal with England’s political problems and was captured as he crossed Austria. A huge ransom was eventually paid.

Philip of France left the Crusade earlier than Richard providing opportunity to cajole and defeat Prince John out of castles and land that belonged to the English crown.

Richard assembled an army to fight his way through France having to recover castles and land from Philip. In 1199 Richard was struck by a crossbow arrow fired from a besieged castle. His wound became gangrenous, ending Richard’s too short but consequential life.