Richard The Lionheart Research Paper

Explanation of the Importance of Their Family and Background to Their Career
Richard I, also called as Richard the Lionheart, reigned as King of England from 1189 to 1199 for only six months and was famous for his strong revolt against father and mother and his exploits during Third Crusade. He was born on 8th of September 1157 in Oxford, England. He was born between Henry II, the lord of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales and Eleanor of Aquitaine who was the greatest heiress in Western Europe in that time. As Richard was Eleanor’s favourite son out of other children, making him stay with her and getting her care after his parents divorced. This meant that Richard was the heir of her property. From his young age, he was educated as a man and learned how to defend their property.

In 1174, joining his older brothers, Henry the Young King and Geoffrey the Duke of Brittany and encouraged by his mother, Richard rebelled against his father in order to leave only his brother Henry, as the only king living. However his brothers were defeated and
Richard asked for forgiveness and turned back. This event made Richard be separated from his family and he wasn’t able to rely on them. Few years later, he was dissatisfied with the nobles of Aquitaine which lead to a major revolt of Gascony in 1183.

After the revolt against his father, Richard received a horrible reputation from the reports and rumours of murders and rapes, and the rebels were hoping to put down Richard. Henry and Geoffrey agreed to help the rebels. Their father, Henry II feared that the war between his three sons might destroy his kingdom; therefore, he led his army to support Richard. After Henry the young king died on 11th of June, 1183, ended the revolt which meant Richard was the only son of the King alive, therefore, was able to rise to the throne to be crowned as the King of England. Richard went through a hardship to be crowned by rebelling against his family in his mid-twenties.

Assessment of Their Role in Significant Events in Their Life The role and contribution of Richard I in the Third crusade was significant although his direct aim was not achieved.
Third Crusade, also called as Kings’ Crusade, was an attempt by Europeans kings to reconquer the Holy Land from Saladin, who conquered the land in 1187. When Richard became the King, he was ambitious and eager to join the Third Crusade. He raised money for his army; however some of his armies was killed during their fleet. Richard arrived at Acre on 8th of June 1191. His accompaniment, Philip II of France was already there fighting against King Guy, who was on Saladin’s side and who was besieging Acre. It was only until Richard and his army had arrived Acre and the opposition fell to the crusades and he was victorious at capturing Acres. After this siege, Philip got sick and returned to France, leaving the crusade in Richard’s hand. Without Richard, the other crusaders would not have been successful at conquering
Acre. After Philip’s leave, Richard and rest of his army marched to Jaffa where he inducted a plan to attack Jerusalem.