Richard the Lionhearted was the third son derived from the union of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Richard 's father decided to divide his property among his children before his death. Richard was given the lands that had belonged to his mother before her marriage to Henry II, some territory in the South of France. Richard and his two brothers were extremely upset with their father's decision to bestow to them very little power over their inherited lands. In 1173 Richard and his brothers in open rebellion against his father. Richard was unsuccessful in this rebellion and ended up submitting to his father's wishes and begging for pardon.
After the death of his brother Henry June 11, 1183 Richard was announced the as the new heir to the English throne. Richard was crowned as the king of England September 30, 1189. Richard spent only six months of his ten-year reign in England. Immediately after his coronation Richard prepared to embark on his journey to join in the fighting of the third crusade.
Richard and the king of France, Philip II, combined their forces during the crusades in an attempt to liberate Jerusalem from Muslim rule. King Philip' s early withdrawal, troubles in England and many other factors contributed to King Richard's failure to deliver Jerusalem from the Muslim regime lead by Saladin. Richard signed a peace treaty with Saladin September 2, 1192 and prepared for his return home to England. Enroute to England Richard was captured and held for ransom by Leopold V of Austria. Richard's mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine was able to raise the large sum of money demanded by king Leopold and Richard was allowed to return home in 1194.
Once back in England Richard successfully defended an attempt by his
brother to gain the crown. He then entered a five-year war with France.
Soon after he died from an archer's wound in a battle in Chalus.