Hello Fellow History Lover!
This week:
10 facts about Richard the Lionheart - 1 for each of his 10 years on the throne
‘The Anne Boleyn Tour’ - TWO dates available for 2025!
Arthur Tudor on Tea Time History Chat Live
Last week:
The badges and mottoes of the queens of Henry VIII, in this week’s History Tea Time Chat Live
**ANNOUNCEMENT**: Release dates for The Anne Boleyn Tour, 2025
My most popular interview to date is now live on Youtube! - Click Here for my interview with Nathan Amin ahead of his new biography on Henry VII.
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Richard the Lionheart
Died 6th April 1199
10 facts about Richard the Lionheart. 1 for each year he was king of England.
1. Richard reigned from 1189 - 1199
2. Richard spent only 6 months of his 10 year reign in England
He much preferred being on campaign or crusade. Not part of the plan, however, was 14 months as a prisoner in Dürnstein, courtesy of his one-time ally Leopold V, Duke of Austria.
3. He was born in Oxford, England
He was the third of five sons born to Henry II and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine.
4. He was his mother’s favourite
It was possibly her who crafted his famous sobriquet ‘Coeur de lion’ when trying to persuade people to contribute to the extortionate ransom which needed to be paid to secure his release from captivity. He was finally released to her, in Würzburg, once the 150,000 silver marks were paid.
5. He rebelled against his father, Henry II
In 1173 Richard took part in a rebellion against his father Henry II of England, alongside his brothers Henry the Young King and Geoffrey of Brittany, and their mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, frustrated at Henry II’s unwillingness to relinquish any power.
6. He was crowned twice
Richard was crowned on 30th September 1189 at Westminster Abbey.
Richard’s time away from England gave his younger brother John the idea that he could usurp the throne. On Richard’s return he quashed John’s rebellion. To reassert his authority Richard had a second coronation on 17th April 1194 at Winchester Cathedral.
7. He didn’t have any children
Richard married Berengaria of Navarre in Limassol, Cyprus, in May 1191 just before he headed off on the third crusade to take Jerusalem back from Saladin, for the Christians. The couple never had children.
8. He died from an infection after being shot by a crossbow
Richard died after gangrene set into a wound caused by a crossbow sustained while besieging the castle at Chalus, France. He summoned the archer, pardoned him and gave him 100 shillings. He also ordered that his men allowed him to go free. However, once Richard died, his men sought horrific revenge, skinning the poor archer alive.
9. He is buried in France
Richard is buried in Fontevrault Abbey in Anjou. His father and mother are also buried there. His tomb doesn’t survive, probably destroyed during the French Revolution, but the effigy does.
10. The statue of Richard, opposite the Henry VII chapel of Westminster Abbey, standing outside the Houses of Parliament, was damaged by a World War II bomb.
The statue of Richard the Lionheart, which now stands outside the Houses of Parliament was first exhibited outside the Crystal Palace in 1851. A bronze version was erected in the parliament yard in 1860 following public demand.
The sword was bent by a bomb in WW2 but has since been straightened.
Listen to Tea Time History Chat Live
Or, you can watch this episode on the British History Youtube channel
The Anne Boleyn Tour 2025
with Historian, Gareth Russell
Due to the high demand for this tour we have decided to offer two dates in 2025.
Tour Dates
29th April - 3rd May 2025
16th - 20th May 2025
On Sale - Release Dates
To members of the British History Patreon - Tuesday 9th April
On general sale - Tuesday 16th April
If you have asked to be added to the waiting list, you will receive an email direct to your inbox on Tuesday 16th April.
Join me on Wednesday 10th April at 3pm (UK time) on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram for Tea Time History Chat Live! You can also catch me on History After Dark on Wednesday at 8:15pm.
Have a great week!
Philippa