1209–1272 · Earl of Cornwall and English leader in the Barons' Crusade
Richard of Cornwall
Brother of King Henry III of England; he led the second phase of the Barons' Crusade in 1240–1241, completed the treaty with al-Salih Ayyub and had Ascalon fortified.
BIOGRAPHICAL DOSSIER
Life and historical role
Life and political setting
Richard was the second son of King John of England and, as earl of Cornwall, became one of the richest nobles in England. As Frederick II's brother-in-law, he also had ties to the imperial party in the Latin East.
Role in the Crusades
He reached Acre in October 1240, shortly after Theobald IV had returned to Europe. Continuing negotiations with the Egyptian sultan al-Salih Ayyub, he had the treaty made by Theobald confirmed and secured the release of the crusaders captured at Gaza. He completed the refortification of Ascalon and returned to Europe in May 1241.
Historical significance and source problems
Richard was elected king of the Romans in 1257, though his authority in the empire remained limited. He died in 1272. His crusade is known through Matthew Paris, the Rothelin continuation and Richard's own letter.
Biographical information is linked to the sources shown on the page and to the connected event records. Disputed dates are given as approximate, gaps are not filled by conjecture, and later literary or visual depictions are not treated as contemporary portraits.