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Description
Richard I of England (1157-99), known as the Lionheart (Coeur de Lion), renowned leader of the Third Crusade, which salvaged the Christian presence in the Holy Land after Saladin's earlier gains. Richard became the undisputed leader of the crusade after it was abandoned by his erstwhile ally Philip II of France. Richard had good relations with the Knights Templar (seen here accompanying him) who were central to the organisation and prosecution of the crusade. Richard's accomplishments included the capture of the port of Acre, after an epic siege, a fighting march south towards Jaffa, along the coast, and the vicrorious battle of Arsuf, where Saladin was forced to retreat after his charge was repulsed. Richard also led a bold expedition to relieve the city of Sidon from Saracen assault. Richard was called away from the crusade to deal with problems back home, and had to leave Jerusalem in Muslim hands for the time being (though he negotiated a treaty guaranteeing the right of Christian pilgrims to visit it). Shipwrecked on the way back, he was kidnapped by the Austrians, and was held for ransom, which his loyal subjects duly raised. Richard was then obliged to fight for his Norman Angevin territories against Philip, who had encroached in the interval. He was killed by a crossbowman during a siege.

NB It seems that during the crusade Richard bore as his arms two lion rampants facing each other, rather than the more familiar three lions passant guardant more usually associated with his Plantagenet dynasty.

Submitted to the 'Lionheart' themed contest at

Description
Richard I of England (1157-99), known as the Lionheart (Coeur de Lion), renowned leader of the Third Crusade, which salvaged the Christian presence in the Holy Land after Saladin's earlier gains. Richard became the undisputed leader of the crusade after it was abandoned by his erstwhile ally Philip II of France. Richard had good relations with the Knights Templar (seen here accompanying him) who were central to the organisation and prosecution of the crusade. Richard's accomplishments included the capture of the port of Acre, after an epic siege, a fighting march south towards Jaffa, along the coast, and the vicrorious battle of Arsuf, where Saladin was forced to retreat after his charge was repulsed. Richard also led a bold expedition to relieve the city of Sidon from Saracen assault. Richard was called away from the crusade to deal with problems back home, and had to leave Jerusalem in Muslim hands for the time being (though he negotiated a treaty guaranteeing the right of Christian pilgrims to visit it). Shipwrecked on the way back, he was kidnapped by the Austrians, and was held for ransom, which his loyal subjects duly raised. Richard was then obliged to fight for his Norman Angevin territories against Philip, who had encroached in the interval. He was killed by a crossbowman during a siege.

NB It seems that during the crusade Richard bore as his arms two lion rampants facing each other, rather than the more familiar three lions passant guardant more usually associated with his Plantagenet dynasty.

Submitted to the 'Lionheart' themed contest at