1157–1199 · King of England and leader of the Third Crusade
Richard the Lionheart
Other names · Richard I · Richard the Lionheart
Richard the Lionheart (1157–1199) — King of England and leader of the Third Crusade. This dossier combines the biographical record with dated events and the listed primary and secondary sources.
BIOGRAPHICAL DOSSIER
Life and historical role
Life and political setting
Richard was a son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine and became king of England in 1189. He spent much of his reign outside England and financed the expedition through heavy taxation, the sale of offices and the disposal of royal rights. His military reputation rests chiefly on campaigns in France and the eastern Mediterranean.
Career during the Crusading era
In 1191 Richard conquered Cyprus from Isaac Komnenos and played a decisive part in the surrender of Acre. When fulfilment of the capitulation terms was delayed, he ordered the killing of about 2,700 Muslim prisoners on 20 August. He defeated Saladin's forces at Arsuf and Jaffa, twice approached Jerusalem without besieging it, and concluded a treaty in 1192.
Documented activity: a chronological record
On 28 August 1189 – 12 July 1191, Richard the Lionheart appears in the atlas record “Siege of Acre” at Acre. The event is documented through Itinerarium Peregrinorum, Bahâeddin İbn Şeddâd, İbnü’l-Esîr. On 1189–1192, Richard the Lionheart appears in the atlas record “Third Crusade” at Anatolia and Levant. The event is documented through Cambridge History of War, ‘Crusaders and settlers in the East, 1096–1291’, TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, ‘Haçlılar’, Encyclopaedia Britannica, ‘Crusades’.
On 20 August 1191, Richard the Lionheart appears in the atlas record “Killing of the Acre prisoners” at Ayyadiya / Acre. The event is documented through Itinerarium Peregrinorum, Ambroise, Bahâeddin İbn Şeddâd. On 7 September 1191, Richard the Lionheart appears in the atlas record “Battle of Arsuf” at Arsuf. The event is documented through Itinerarium Peregrinorum, Bahâeddin İbn Şeddâd, World History Encyclopedia kronolojisi.
On May – June 1191, Richard the Lionheart appears in the atlas record “Richard's conquest of Cyprus” at Limassol – Nicosia. The event is documented through Itinerarium Peregrinorum, Niketas Khoniates, TDV İA, ‘Haçlılar’. On July – 2 September 1192, Richard the Lionheart appears in the atlas record “Battle of Jaffa and peace treaty” at Jaffa. The event is documented through Itinerarium Peregrinorum, Bahâeddin İbn Şeddâd, TDV İA, ‘Haçlılar’.
Allies, opponents and geographical range
Richard the Lionheart appears in the same records as Guy de Lusignan, Saladin, Philip Augustus, Frederick Barbarossa, II. Philippe, Isaakios Komnenos. Co-occurrence does not always indicate alliance: the connection may involve command, dynastic rivalry, captivity, negotiation or direct conflict.
The principal geographical range represented in the atlas is Acre; Anatolia and Levant; Ayyadiya / Acre; Arsuf; Limassol – Nicosia; Jaffa. These places record not only presence but also the supply lines, diplomatic contacts and limits of authority relevant to the biography.
Results of recorded decisions
The “Siege of Acre” dossier records the consequences of this episode and identifies the source problems that limit a definitive reconstruction. Use this record as a starting point for comparing narrative sources, military practice, captivity, negotiation and the legal treatment of war.
The “Third Crusade” dossier records the consequences of this episode and identifies the source problems that limit a definitive reconstruction. Use this record as a starting point for comparing narrative sources, military practice, captivity, negotiation and the legal treatment of war.
The “Killing of the Acre prisoners” dossier records the consequences of this episode and identifies the source problems that limit a definitive reconstruction. Use this record as a starting point for comparing narrative sources, military practice, captivity, negotiation and the legal treatment of war.
The “Battle of Arsuf” dossier records the consequences of this episode and identifies the source problems that limit a definitive reconstruction. Use this record as a starting point for comparing narrative sources, military practice, captivity, negotiation and the legal treatment of war.
Sources and historiography
Papal letters, conciliar canons and preaching texts record normative aims, while chronicles describe their social reception. Later versions of speeches are not verbatim minutes and should be compared through their shared provisions, date and circulation.
Names and titles vary between languages; Richard I, Richard the Lionheart should be searched together in catalogues and texts. Approximate dates remain marked as such, and later literary or visual fame is separated from contemporary testimony.
Biographical statements are tied to the sources listed on this page and to the connected event dossiers. Approximate or disputed dates remain marked; missing information is not filled by conjecture, and later literary or visual representations are not treated as contemporary portraits.