Changes

==French Ties==

==French Ties==

King Richard was known as Coeur de Lion (the Lionheart).  At this time, the English court was almost entirely French in character and language, being directly descended from [[William the Conqueror|King William the Duke of Normandy]] and including the lands of [[Anjou]] and [[Aquitaine]] in modern day France.  Indeed, the largest land holder in France, was King Richard. He spoke no English - his native tongue was the regional dialect French of [[Poitou]]. His body was buried in Poitou, and his heart in Rouen Cathedral in his ancestral [[Normandy]].

King Richard was known as Coeur de Lion (the Lionheart).  At this time, the English court was almost entirely French in character and language, being directly descended from [[William the Conqueror|King William the Duke of Normandy]] and including the lands of [[Anjou]] and [[Aquitaine]] in modern-day France.  Indeed, the largest land holder in France, was King Richard. He spoke no English - his native tongue was the regional dialect French of [[Poitou]]. His body was buried in Poitou, and his heart in Rouen Cathedral in his ancestral [[Normandy]].

==Family and early years==

==Family and early years==

He was the second oldest son of Henry II  and Eleanor of Aquitaine . He was not expected to ascend the throne, his elder brother Henry would become King of England. But he was always his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine’s favor. From an early age, he had already being known for his extraordinary military ability and great courage on the battlefield. He also had a great reputation of chivalry and energy in protecting pilgrims whom passing though his own territory.     

He was the second oldest son of Henry II  and Eleanor of Aquitaine . He was not expected to ascend the throne, his elder brother Henry would become King of England. But he was always his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine’s favor. From an early age, he had already being known for his extraordinary military ability and great courage on the battlefield. He also had a great reputation of chivalry and energy in protecting pilgrims whom passing though his own territory.     

According to Henry II ‘s plan , his eldest son Henry would become King of England and have control of Anjou, Maine, and Normandy, while Richard would inherit Aquitaine from his mother and become Count of Poitiers, and his younger brother Geoffrey would get Brittany through  marriage alliance with Constance, the heiress to the region. Richard was betrothed to Alys, fourth daughter of Louis VII of France.  

According to Henry II ‘s plan, his eldest son Henry would become King of England and have control of Anjou, Maine, and Normandy, while Richard would inherit Aquitaine from his mother and become Count of Poitiers, and his younger brother Geoffrey would get Brittany through  marriage alliance with Constance, the heiress to the region. Richard was betrothed to Alys, fourth daughter of Louis VII of France.  

In 1171 Henry II gave him the duchy of Aquitaine at the request of his mother Eleanor. Together they laid the foundation stone of St Augustine's Monastery in Limoges.

In 1171 Henry II gave him the duchy of Aquitaine at the request of his mother Eleanor. Together they laid the foundation stone of St Augustine's Monastery in Limoges.

Henry the young King became increasingly jealous on him and demanded him pay homage but Richard refused. In 1183, Henry the young King and Geoffrey invaded Aquitaine, Bertrand de Born, Count of Hautefort, who was Richard's rival in minstrelsy also joined them. But Richard successfully hold them back. In June 11, 1183, the young King died.  

Henry the young King became increasingly jealous on him and demanded him pay homage but Richard refused. In 1183, Henry the young King and Geoffrey invaded Aquitaine, Bertrand de Born, Count of Hautefort, who was Richard's rival in minstrelsy also joined them. But Richard successfully hold them back. In June 11, 1183, the young King died.  

King Henry demanded Richard give up Aquitaine to his youngest son John , Richard refused. Henry soon gave John permission to invade Aquitaine. In 1188, the war broke up; Richard paid homage to Philip Augustus, King of France in addition with Normandy and Anjou in exchange of an alliance. They defeated Henry’s army at Ballans. Henry died in 6 July 1189. According to report, Richard was unhorsed by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke during the war which give William the reputation of the only man ever to unhorse Richard, he then insulted the future King with words that “no one could ever bear”, but later, Richard welcomed and included him in the council of regency in his absence for Crusade as his chivalrous character. Richard was crowned as King of England at Westminster on  Sept 3.   

King Henry demanded Richard give up Aquitaine to his youngest son John, Richard refused. Henry soon gave John permission to invade Aquitaine. In 1188, the war broke up; Richard paid homage to Philip Augustus, King of France in addition with Normandy and Anjou in exchange of an alliance. They defeated Henry’s army at Ballans. Henry died in 6 July 1189. According to report, Richard was unhorsed by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke during the war which give William the reputation of the only man ever to unhorse Richard, he then insulted the future King with words that “no one could ever bear”, but later, Richard welcomed and included him in the council of regency in his absence for Crusade as his chivalrous character. Richard was crowned as King of England at Westminster on  Sept 3.   

==Crusade==

==Crusade==

Towards the end of 1187, when the news of fall of the Jerusalem reached him, Richard took the Cross. Philip Augustus and Henry II had subsequently followed his example. After the coronation, Richard swore an oath to renounce his past sin in order to show his worthy to take the Cross. He sold sheriffdoms, justiceships, church lands, and set all kinds of positions for biding and spent most of his father’s treasure in raising and equipping crusaders.  He even made bidding for the position of chancellor, William Longchamp, his own chancellor kept his position with £3,000. It is reported he said "I would have sold London if I could find a buyer." He raised  around 8000 men and 100 ships.

Towards the end of 1187, when the news of fall of the Jerusalem reached him, Richard took the Cross. Philip Augustus and Henry II had subsequently followed his example. After the coronation, Richard swore an oath to renounce his past sin in order to show his worthy to take the Cross. He sold sheriffdoms, justiceships, church lands, and set all kinds of positions for biding and spent most of his father’s treasure in raising and equipping crusaders.  He even made bidding for the position of chancellor, William Longchamp, his own chancellor kept his position with £3,000. It is reported he said "I would have sold London if I could find a buyer." He raised  around 8000 men and 100 ships.

In 1189, Richard crossed Calais and met Philip Augustus whom also started Crusade. He reached Marseilles and arrived in Messina then waited for the spring. Because his betrothed Alys , who is Philip’s sister had affair with his father, Richard refused to marry her, as a Christian, such a marriage is intolerable. Richard then betrothed to Berengaria of Navarre.  This is the start of the lifelong hostile between him and Philip.

In 1189, Richard crossed Calais and met Philip Augustus whom also started Crusade. He reached Marseilles and arrived in Messina then waited for the spring. Because his betrothed Alys, who is Philip’s sister had affair with his father, Richard refused to marry her, as a Christian, such a marriage is intolerable. Richard then betrothed to Berengaria of Navarre.  This is the start of the lifelong hostile between him and Philip.

In June 10, 1190, their main partner in the crusade, Holy Roman emperor Frederick I, famous known as Barbarossa drowned when he across the Saleph River which is now part of Turkey .Germans then left the Crusade. Since Fredrick has the largest army among them, almost 10 times larger than the English and French combined, this significantly weakened the third Crusade.  

In June 10, 1190, their main partner in the crusade, Holy Roman emperor Frederick I, famous known as Barbarossa drowned when he across the Saleph River which is now part of Turkey .Germans then left the Crusade. Since Fredrick has the largest army among them, almost 10 times larger than the English and French combined, this significantly weakened the third Crusade.  

==Battle of Jaffa==

==Battle of Jaffa==

After Richard’s withdraw, Saladin seized the opportunity and reinvaded Jaffa which served as headquarter for Crusaders at Jerusalem campaign. Facing massive enemies, although fought bravely but Christians were quickly outnumbered, the survivors retreated into the citadel. News reached to Richard, he immediately came to rescue. He divided his army into two. The main army under Templars marched into Jaffa though land which he expected they would be blocked on their way and it happened indeed. Meanwhile he led a small army approach Jaffa by sea. At first , they thought there are no survivors , but when he saw a Christian flag weaving from the citadel in the city, Richard leaped into the sea and waded through the waves to reach the wall . The king led 54 knights, a few hundred infantrymen, and about 2,000 crossbowmen charge into the city. Christian prisoners in the city seized their arms and resumed fight. Being stunned by Richard’s assaulting, Muslims were quickly collapsed and fled.   

After Richard’s withdraw, Saladin seized the opportunity and reinvaded Jaffa which served as headquarter for Crusaders at Jerusalem campaign. Facing massive enemies, although fought bravely but Christians were quickly outnumbered, the survivors retreated into the citadel. News reached to Richard, he immediately came to rescue. He divided his army into two. The main army under Templars marched into Jaffa though land which he expected they would be blocked on their way and it happened indeed. Meanwhile, he led a small army approach Jaffa by sea. At first, they thought there are no survivors, but when he saw a Christian flag weaving from the citadel in the city, Richard leaped into the sea and waded through the waves to reach the wall . The king led 54 knights, a few hundred infantrymen, and about 2,000 crossbowmen charge into the city. Christian prisoners in the city seized their arms and resumed fight. Being stunned by Richard’s assaulting, Muslims were quickly collapsed and fled.   

But this was just beginning, after being driven out of the city, Saladin again gathered a massive army and plan to retake the city. With a much smaller army with him, Richard formed a defense line with spear men in the front and crossbowmen behind. Muslims repeated charge but were beaten back every time. After hold the line for hours, Richard led a charge with 50 knights which only 10 to 15 mounted. The king’s horse was killed during the battle and he eventually fought on foot. By the evening, it is clear the city was defended. Left 700 bodies and 1500 dead horses, Saladin abandoned his plan. Although with only a few men, Christians only miraculously lost 2 in the battle.  

But this was just beginning, after being driven out of the city, Saladin again gathered a massive army and plan to retake the city. With a much smaller army with him, Richard formed a defense line with spear men in the front and crossbowmen behind. Muslims repeated charge but were beaten back every time. After hold the line for hours, Richard led a charge with 50 knights which only 10 to 15 mounted. The king’s horse was killed during the battle and he eventually fought on foot. By the evening, it is clear the city was defended. Left 700 bodies and 1500 dead horses, Saladin abandoned his plan. Although with only a few men, Christians only miraculously lost 2 in the battle.  

==French campaign and the last days==

==French campaign and the last days==

During Richard’s absence, Philip Augustus took the Normandy. After his return, Richard led his army back. In March 25, 1199, near the Castle perimeter in Chalus-Chabrol,  someone on the castle wall deliberately aimed the King with bow, applauded the first shot, he was hit in the left shoulder near the neck by the next. The arrow was positioned. The archer eventually was captured. As his last chivalric action, he forgave him, ordered gave him 100 shillings and set him free. However his wish was not practice by his company  after his death.. He also declared forgave Philip. After confessed his sin, Richard died in the arms of his mother in April 6. As his wish , he was buried at feet of his father at Fontevraud Abbey in Anjou. His heart was buried at Rouen in Normandy.             

During Richard’s absence, Philip Augustus took the Normandy. After his return, Richard led his army back. In March 25, 1199, near the Castle perimeter in Chalus-Chabrol,  someone on the castle wall deliberately aimed the King with bow, applauded the first shot, he was hit in the left shoulder near the neck by the next. The arrow was positioned. The archer eventually was captured. As his last chivalric action, he forgave him, ordered gave him 100 shillings and set him free. However his wish was not practice by his company  after his death.. He also declared forgave Philip. After confessed his sin, Richard died in the arms of his mother in April 6. As his wish, he was buried at feet of his father at Fontevraud Abbey in Anjou. His heart was buried at Rouen in Normandy.             

==Marriage and alleged homosexual==

==Marriage and alleged homosexual==