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{{quote|We enter this world kicking and screaming. Violent and unstable from birth, that permanent peace is impossible though we all wish it.|Richard at Arsuf.|Assassin's Creed}}
{{quote|We enter this world kicking and screaming. Violent and unstable from birth, that permanent peace is impossible though we all wish it.|Richard at Arsuf.|Assassin's Creed}}
'''Richard I of England''' (8 September 1157 - 6 April 1199), or '''Richard the Lionheart''', was the king of England from 1189 to his death in 1199. He was the leader of the [[Crusaders|Crusader]] army during the [[Third Crusade]], and was considered a great military leader and warrior. The [[Saracens]] called him "Melek-Ric" or "Malek al-Inkitar" (King of England).<ref name=wr>''[[Wikipedia:Richard I of England|Wikipedia entry on Richard the Lionheart]]''</ref>
'''Richard I of England''' (8 September 1157 - 6 April 1199), or '''Richard the Lionheart''', was the king of England from 1189 to his death in 1199. He was the leader of the [[Crusaders|Crusader]] army during the [[Third Crusade]], and was considered a great military leader and warrior.


==Biography==
==Biography==
===Background===
Richard was the third of five brothers, and so was not expected to be king: he was raised in northern France (which then belonged to the King of England) but when his older brothers died without issue Richard became heir apparent.  As a result he spoke very little English: in the game he speaks with a French accent.
At the beginning of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', Richard and his army had not long taken the port city of [[Acre]]. His ultimate goal was to lead his army into the city of [[Jerusalem]] so that he could free the Holy Land in the name of the Christian faith.


With a base of operations established in Acre, the [[Crusaders]] prepared to march south. However, [[Saladin]], leader of the Islamic army, currently ruled the city of Jerusalem. Stinging from his army’s defeat at Acre, he would not allow Richard to humiliate him again. The Muslim forces were massing in the ruins of Arsuf, intending to ambush the Crusaders and prevent them from reaching Jerusalem. These war maneuvers had left the rest of the Holy Land wide open. While Richard and Saladin battled against one another, the men left to govern in their stead had begun to take advantage of their new found positions of power. Exploitation, manipulation, and provocation ruled the day.
Even before the became king, Richard had earned the nickname ''Lionheart'' for his ferocity and utter fearlessness in battle.


Richard was completely unaware of his men's intentions by being so involved in this war against Saladin. Richard's only goal was to reclaim the Holy City of Jerusalem in the name of God and for the Christians. When he argued with William, he reminded him that he had made a promise to God to fight for the Crusader army.<ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>
Richard landed in [[Acre]] in 1191, quickly forcing that city to surrender to the Crusaders. The events of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' occur after Acre's surrender, when Richard and his forces prepare to move south to Jaffa and then [[Jerusalem]].


===''Assassin's Creed''===
===''Assassin's Creed''===
[[File:Richard.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Richard arguing with William.]]
Richard is first seen in ''Assassin's Creed'' as he departs [[Acre]] with his army to move south. Richard left [[William of Montferrat]] as Regent Lord of Acre, unaware than William was secretly part of the [[Templars|Templar]] conspiracy and intended to betray the king.  William was killed by the assassin [[Altaïr]] soon after Richard left Acre.
King Richard appeared in the first ''Assassin's Creed'' as the leader of the Crusader Army who was fighting Saladin in the Holy Land, and had attempted to take back [[Jerusalem]] for Christianity. Several of his lieutenants were [[Robert de Sable]], Grand Master of the [[Templars]], [[Garnier de Naplouse]], Grand Master of the [[Hospitaliers]], [[William of Montferrat]], Regent Lord of Acre and [[Sibrand]], Grand Master of the [[Knights Teutonic]].


Richard the Lionheart made a brief appearance during two missions in the game - first when he was seen arguing with William, and then, near to the end of the game at Arsuf, where he was personally confronted by Altaïr. He was unaware of the Templars' plan to betray him by using the [[Piece of Eden]] and conquering the Holy Land in the Templar name. After [[Altaïr]] had assassinated everyone but Robert, Robert attempted to convince Richard to ally himself with Saladin against the [[Assassins]], who were their common enemies. Altaïr learned of Robert's plans and personally rode to Arsuf to tell Richard of the Templars' betrayal.
[[File:Richard_arsuf.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Richard hears Altaïr at Arsuf]]
Under Richard, the Crusaders eventually reached [[Arsuf]] where they engaged [[Saladin]]'s army.  Here they were approached by [[Altaïr]], the assassin responsible for killing not only [[William of Montferrat]] but the Grand Masters of the Knights [[Hospitaliers|Hospitalier]] and [[Knights Teutonic|Teutonic]] as well. Altaïr claimed [[Robert de Sable]], Grand Master of the Knights [[Templars|Templar]] and one of the generals working alongside Richard, intended to betray the King; Robert insisted Altaïr's story was merely a ruse to keep Richard from interfering in the assassin's mission.


[[File:Richard_arsuf.jpg|thumb|300px|Richard hears Altaïr at Arsuf]]
Richard left the decision in the hands of God, leaving Robert and his Templars to fight Altaïr in trial by combat.  Altaïr proved the victor, and so Richard accepted the assassin's version of events. Richard and Altaïr then discussed the politics and philosophy of war and peace, in which Richard admitted he wasn't yet ready for peace with Saladin.
After a fierce battle with Saracen and Crusader soldiers, he found King Richard, Robert and other elite soldiers of the army. When Altaïr told the King of England about Robert's treason, with Robert denying it, Richard didn't know who to trust after Altaïr asked Richard if he was actually, truly, surprised by his subjects' plan of betrayal: he wasn't, but he still didn't trust Altaïr.
 
Richard decided to let "the Lord" choose who was the one who told the truth, by letting Altaïr and Robert fight each other to see which one had "God's support". Altaïr's efficiency with the Hidden Blade proved superior to the Templar's sword skills, and King Richard believed him. They discussed the politics and philosophy of war and peace, in which Richard told Altaïr that he wasn't ready for peace with Saladin yet, before Altaïr went back to [[Masyaf]] to engage in combat with [[Al Mualim]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/>


==Characteristics and personality==
==Characteristics and personality==
{{quote|He fought like an uncaged lion!|Richard's soldier about his combat skills.|wikipedia:Richard I of England}}
[[File:Richard.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Richard arguing with William.]]
[[File:Richardhorse.png|thumb|left|300px|Richard the Lionheart]]
Richard was a man strong in faith, and relied upon God for crucial decisions. He did, however, seem tolerant towards non-believers, as Altaïr denying the help of God over his victory against Robert did not trouble him.
Richard was a man strong in faith, and relied upon God for crucial decisions. He did, however, seem tolerant towards non-believers, as Altaïr denying the help of God over his victory against Robert did not trouble him.


Richard was also a strong military leader, and wasn't afraid to use his sword to answer his problems. He scored a major victory for the Crusader army by capturing Acre.
Richard believed that mankind could never change. In his mind, the only way for him to have brought peace was for his men to crush the enemy: [[Saladin]] and the Saracens.
 
Richard believed that mankind could never change. In his mind, the only way for him to have brought peace was for his men to crush the enemy: [[Saladin]] and the Saracens.<ref name="Assassin's Creed"/> Richard was given the name "Lionheart" because of his kindness to his prisoners and because he was fierce in combat.<ref name=wr/>
 
Despite being the King of England, Richard spoke with a French accent. This may be due to the fact he was brought up in France by his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*[[File:Lionheart.jpg|thumb|Concept art of King Richard.]]When you observe King Richard through [[Eagle Vision]] he appears to be red, which implies that he is an enemy, even though he appears to be friendly towards Altaïr.
*When you observe King Richard through [[Eagle Vision]] he appears to be red, which implies that he is an enemy, even though he appears to be friendly towards Altaïr.
*Richard can be attacked, but he will not die. In order for you to do this, you have to throw one soldier to him. He will fall down. Then that soldier will stand up and try to attack you from inside the barrier. He will hit Richard and force him out of the barrier. You can attack him, but not kill him.
*Richard can be attacked, but he will not die. In order for you to do this, you have to throw one soldier to him. He will fall down. Then that soldier will stand up and try to attack you from inside the barrier. He will hit Richard and force him out of the barrier. You can attack him, but not kill him.


==References==
[[File:Lionheart.jpg|thumb|Concept art of King Richard.]]
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]

Revision as of 00:15, 17 May 2011


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"We enter this world kicking and screaming. Violent and unstable from birth, that permanent peace is impossible though we all wish it."
―Richard at Arsuf.[src]

Richard I of England (8 September 1157 - 6 April 1199), or Richard the Lionheart, was the king of England from 1189 to his death in 1199. He was the leader of the Crusader army during the Third Crusade, and was considered a great military leader and warrior.

Biography

Richard was the third of five brothers, and so was not expected to be king: he was raised in northern France (which then belonged to the King of England) but when his older brothers died without issue Richard became heir apparent. As a result he spoke very little English: in the game he speaks with a French accent.

Even before the became king, Richard had earned the nickname Lionheart for his ferocity and utter fearlessness in battle.

Richard landed in Acre in 1191, quickly forcing that city to surrender to the Crusaders. The events of Assassin's Creed occur after Acre's surrender, when Richard and his forces prepare to move south to Jaffa and then Jerusalem.

Assassin's Creed

Richard is first seen in Assassin's Creed as he departs Acre with his army to move south. Richard left William of Montferrat as Regent Lord of Acre, unaware than William was secretly part of the Templar conspiracy and intended to betray the king. William was killed by the assassin Altaïr soon after Richard left Acre.

File:Richard arsuf.jpg
Richard hears Altaïr at Arsuf

Under Richard, the Crusaders eventually reached Arsuf where they engaged Saladin's army. Here they were approached by Altaïr, the assassin responsible for killing not only William of Montferrat but the Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitalier and Teutonic as well. Altaïr claimed Robert de Sable, Grand Master of the Knights Templar and one of the generals working alongside Richard, intended to betray the King; Robert insisted Altaïr's story was merely a ruse to keep Richard from interfering in the assassin's mission.

Richard left the decision in the hands of God, leaving Robert and his Templars to fight Altaïr in trial by combat. Altaïr proved the victor, and so Richard accepted the assassin's version of events. Richard and Altaïr then discussed the politics and philosophy of war and peace, in which Richard admitted he wasn't yet ready for peace with Saladin.

Characteristics and personality

File:Richard.jpg
Richard arguing with William.

Richard was a man strong in faith, and relied upon God for crucial decisions. He did, however, seem tolerant towards non-believers, as Altaïr denying the help of God over his victory against Robert did not trouble him.

Richard believed that mankind could never change. In his mind, the only way for him to have brought peace was for his men to crush the enemy: Saladin and the Saracens.

Trivia

  • When you observe King Richard through Eagle Vision he appears to be red, which implies that he is an enemy, even though he appears to be friendly towards Altaïr.
  • Richard can be attacked, but he will not die. In order for you to do this, you have to throw one soldier to him. He will fall down. Then that soldier will stand up and try to attack you from inside the barrier. He will hit Richard and force him out of the barrier. You can attack him, but not kill him.
Concept art of King Richard.