Richard I of England

Richard I (1157–1199), called the Lionheart, was King of England from 1189. A younger son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, he became heir only after his elder brothers died. Sent to subdue the rebellious Aquitanian barons, he won his nickname in that fighting.

His reign was spent on crusade, in captivity or defending his French lands. In 1191 he took Acre and led the crusade after Philip II of France went home, beating Saladin at Arsuf. He never took Jerusalem, and in 1192 signed a three-year truce with Saladin.

Seized shortly before Christmas 1192, he was handed to Emperor Henry VI, who demanded 150,000 marks. He was freed in 1194; Philip is said to have warned John that the devil was loose. In 1199 a crossbow bolt struck him at a siege; he died after forgiving his killer, leaving no legitimate heir, and John succeeded him.