Richard the Lionheart Crowned: Crusade King Takes Throne
Richard I was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey on September 3, 1189, in a ceremony marred by anti-Jewish pogroms that broke out when Jewish leaders arrived to present gifts. Richard spent only six months of his ten-year reign in England. He departed for the Third Crusade almost immediately, financing the expedition by selling offices, lands, and titles. "I would sell London if I could find a buyer," he reportedly said. Richard fought Saladin to a draw in the Holy Land, was captured by Duke Leopold of Austria on his way home, and was ransomed for 150,000 marks of silver, roughly three times England's annual revenue. His subjects paid the ransom through crushing taxation. He died from a crossbow bolt wound in 1199.
September 3, 1189
837 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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