Richard the Lionheart

A deep dive into the myth and history surrounding England's crusader king.

How did Richard the Lionheart, who once said he would sell London if he found a buyer, become celebrated as the ideal of English chivalry? This book examines the life of Richard I (1157-1199) through the captivating stories told about him, from the Middle Ages to today. Tales of Richard's exploits were as colorful as they were varied, ranging from tales of wielding King Arthur's sword to his descent from the devil (or just a cannibal). Instead of separating fact from fiction, this book explores how tales about Richard I shaped his legacy in his time and ours. Valuable to general readers and scholars alike, and combining medieval and modern literature, this book is the only account to study Richard I from the perspective of history and literature.

Heather Blurton is Professor of English at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her books include Inventing William of Norwich: Thomas of Monmouth, Antisemitism, and Literary Culture, 1150-1200 (2022).