Richard I

Richard I (1157-1199), commonly known as Richard the Lionheart to Europeans and Melich Rich to Arabs, was a medieval King of England and Duke of Aquitaine at the height of the Plantagenets power in England. He assumed the throne in 1189 and reigned until he died, although he spent more time away from home than ruling from England. He is perhaps best known for his foray into the Holy Land and being the ultimate leader of the Third Crusade. His conflict with Saladin has been long regarded to be a romantic conflict, one which clearly demonstrated the virtues of chivalry. Upon investigation, however, it is obvious that atrocities were committed on both sides, and neither men can claim ultimate virtousness.

Richard died in 1199, and he passed the throne on to his brother, John I.

Popular Culture

Richard has been used as a character in fictional literature in works such as Robin Hood and Ivanhoe.