Richard I

(born Sept. 8, 1157, Oxford, Eng.—died April 6, 1199, Châlus, Duchy of Aquitaine) Duke of Aquitaine (1168–99) and Poitiers (1172–99) and king of England, duke of Normandy, and count of Anjou (1189–99). He inherited Aquitaine from his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Denied real authority there, he rebelled against his father, Henry II (1173–74) and later enlisted Philip II of France in a successful campaign against Henry (1189). Crowned king of England on Henry's death that year, Richard embarked on the Third Crusade (1190), stopping in Sicily to name Tancred king and conquering Cyprus. He won victories in the Holy Land, but, after failing to gain Jerusalem, he signed a truce (1192) with Saladin. On his way home Richard was captured by Leopold of Austria and turned over to Henry VI of Germany, who imprisoned him until a ransom was paid (1194). Richard returned to England and reclaimed the throne from his brother John, then spent the rest of his life in Normandy fighting against Philip II.