The character and aims of King Richard: attitudes towards religion and the…

The idea

Richard I ('the Lionheart') is characterised as a warrior-king whose primary aim was military glory, defending his Angevin lands and reclaiming Jerusalem. His attitude towards religion was conventional yet zealous, viewing his kingship as a divine mandate to lead the Third Crusade. To fund this holy war, he heavily taxed England and sold offices, building upon the financial precedent of the 1188 'Saladin Tithe' levied by his father, Henry II. This showed that faith was central to his political strategies. His involvement in the Crusade (1190–1192) showcased his tactical brilliance at Arsuf and Acre, but also his diplomatic shortcomings, alienating allies like Philip II of France and Leopold of Austria, which ultimately led to his capture.

What earns the marks

• Evaluate Richard's primary aims, focusing on his prioritisation of the Third Crusade and the defence of the Angevin Empire over domestic English governance.
• Assess how Richard's conventional but fervent religious beliefs shaped his kingship, including his willingness to exploit Church resources and sell offices to fund his campaigns.
• Analyse Richard's military leadership and tactical successes during the Third Crusade, such as the sieges of Acre and the Battle of Arsuf.
• Examine the political consequences of his crusading involvement, particularly the breakdown of alliances with Philip II and Leopold of Austria, leading to his imprisonment.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Claiming Richard had no interest in religion and only used the Crusade for personal glory.

  Put it right: Acknowledge that while he sought glory, his commitment to the Crusade was driven by genuine, conventional medieval piety and a belief in his divine duty.

• Stating Richard completely ignored the English Church or sold the Bishopric of Ely to William Longchamp.

  Put it right: Recognise that he actively engaged with the Church to extract wealth, and while Longchamp was Bishop of Ely, Richard actually sold him the secular office of Chancellor for £3,000.

• Assuming the Third Crusade was a complete failure because Jerusalem was not taken.

  Put it right: Highlight his significant military victories and the negotiation of the Treaty of Jaffa, which secured Christian access to Jerusalem.

• Attributing the creation of the Saladin Tithe to Richard I.

  Put it right: Note that the Saladin Tithe was actually levied by his father, Henry II, in 1188, though Richard utilised the wealth and precedent for his own crusading funds.

Exam tips

• When evaluating Richard's character, contrast the romanticised 'Lionheart' myth with contemporary evidence of his pragmatism and ruthlessness in funding his campaigns.
• Link Richard's religious attitudes directly to his financial policies, showing how his piety justified the heavy taxation of his English subjects.
• Use specific examples from the Third Crusade, such as the Treaty of Jaffa, to evaluate the extent to which he achieved his aims.