Richard I of England (1173–1199)

Richard I 'the Lionheart', King of England (region: Europe), reigned 1189–1199. Famous for military prowess and chivalry.

A rebellion by Richard, his brothers and his mother Eleanor against his father Henry II. It failed, but marks Richard's 'rise to power' theme.

1189, on the death of Henry II.

It means 'lion-hearted' — earned for his courage and skill in battle, central to his reputation.

The lands ruled by Henry II and Richard I across England and western France (Normandy, Anjou, Aquitaine). Defending these French lands was Richard's main concern at home.

1) Defend and recover the Angevin lands in France (against Philip II). 2) Defend the crusader states / recover Jerusalem on the Third Crusade (against Saladin).

The Muslim ruler (Sultan of Egypt and Syria) who held Jerusalem and was Richard's main opponent on the Third Crusade (1189–1192).

Richard captured the port of Acre and won the Battle of Arsuf against Saladin — high points of his military prowess.

He took Acre, won at Arsuf, and made a 1192 truce securing pilgrim access to Jerusalem — but never recaptured Jerusalem itself. Success was real but incomplete.

England was heavily taxed to pay the ransom; meanwhile Philip II seized Norman lands and John bid for power — showing the cost of Richard's absence.

Weakened it short-term (heavy taxation, absence, John's bid for power), but English government continued and his French lands were largely recovered by 1199.

Analysing a source's Origin, Purpose and Content to judge its Value and Limitations (the Q2 [4-mark] skill) — not just calling it 'reliable' or 'unreliable'.

Richard I (the Lionheart, 1157–1199), king of England — the EUROPEAN military-leader case study, contrasted with Genghis Khan (Asia).

1189–1192; Richard led it as its main commander from 1191.

Saladin (Salah ad-Din), the Muslim sultan of Egypt and Syria; the two leaders respected each other.

He wintered in Sicily (1190–91) and conquered Cyprus (1191), gaining a supply base and money for the Crusade.

Richard's leadership helped force the surrender of the key port of Acre, restoring crusader morale.

Richard's disciplined march south from Acre culminated in a major victory over Saladin at Arsuf.

He advanced towards it twice but turned back both times, judging it impossible to hold even if taken, with Saladin near and supply lines stretched.

A three-year agreement with Saladin: Jerusalem stayed Muslim, but Christian pilgrims could visit safely and the crusaders kept the coastal cities.

He was captured in Europe on his way home and released only after a huge ransom was paid.

Philip II (Philip Augustus), the Capetian king of France, attacked the Angevin lands, sometimes helped by Richard's brother John.

Successes: Cyprus, Acre, Arsuf, safe pilgrimage, recovered French lands. Failure: never retook Jerusalem and his absence weakened England.

Argue both sides of the claim, weave the sources together with precise own knowledge (Acre 1191, Arsuf 1191, 1192 truce), and reach a clear judgement — never just narrate.

1189–1199; he is a EUROPEAN case study (King of England, campaigning in France and the Holy Land). Keep him separate from Genghis Khan (Asia).

His near-total ABSENCE — under a year of a ten-year reign in England (Third Crusade 1190–92, then captivity 1192–94).

Richard's younger brother, who plotted to seize power during Richard's absence and captivity, causing political instability in England.

Philip II exploited it to attack Angevin lands and expand royal control, growing the prestige and strength of the Capetian monarchy in France.

About 150,000 marks demanded for Richard's release after capture by Duke Leopold V of Austria and handover to Emperor Henry VI — several times the crown's annual income.

Extraordinary taxes: a levy of roughly a quarter of incomes/moveables, church plate surrendered, and the Cistercian monasteries' wool clip taken.

The mass killing of York's Jewish community in March 1190, amid anti-Jewish violence around Richard's coronation and the crusade.

Richard ordered the execution of around 2,700 Muslim prisoners near Acre after negotiations with Saladin broke down.

Using the sources AND your own knowledge, evaluate a claim — a balanced, two-sided argument reaching a supported verdict, worth 9 marks.

Home: absence → John's plots, instability, heavy taxation/ransom, York massacre. Abroad: Philip II expands Capetian control; crusade victories but no Jerusalem; prisoners executed 1191.

A truce agreed with Saladin in 1192; Richard never recaptured Jerusalem and headed home, only to be captured.

Q4 explicitly rewards facts the sources don't supply — e.g. the ransom figure, the York date (1190), and Philip II's territorial gains.