Richard I of England

"We come into the world kicking and screaming, violent and unstable. It is what we are. We cannot help ourselves."

―King Richard I, 1191.

Richard I (1157 – 1199), commonly known as Richard the Lionheart, was the King of England from 1189 until his death in 1199. He was the second monarch of the House of Plantagenet. He was also the commander of the Crusader army during the Third Crusade, and was considered a great military leader and warrior.

Upon his death, he was succeeded as King of England by his younger brother, John.

Biography

Early life

Richard was born on 8 September 1157, and like his brother John, he was the son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

The Third Crusade

"Even now, that heathen Saladin cuts through my men and I must attend to them. But perhaps having seen how vulnerable he is, he will reconsider his actions. Yes. In time, what you seek may be possible."

―Richard to Altaïr, 1191.

Prompted by Saladin's recapture of Jerusalem, Richard vowed to go on crusade. He was crowned king in September 1189 and, after remaining in England for only six months, set off for the Holy Land. During his journey, Richard scored a series of successes, notably conquering Sicily and retaking Acre.

In 1191, Richard departed from Acre to move south, appointing William of Montferrat as the city's Regent. This appointment was partly a strategic necessity; despite a history of mutual dislike, Richard had compelled William to remain in Acre as his "guest"—effectively a hostage—to ensure that William's son, Conrad, would not act against the King's interests. Shortly before his departure, Richard and William quarreled over the fate of three thousand Saracen prisoners. While the King intended to use the captives to barter for the release of his own men, William had them executed, claiming the act would fill the enemy with fear. The King was unaware that William was a secret member of the Templar Order who intended to betray him. Following Richard's departure from the city, William was assassinated by the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.

Under Richard, the Crusaders eventually reached Arsuf, where they engaged Saladin's army. Upon the Assassin's arrival at the camp, Richard was initially hostile and suspicious, accusing Altaïr of being a hired killer sent to take his life. The King expressed an inclination to side with Robert, noting that the Assassins had already wrought havoc in Acre by murdering several of his best men. In response, Altaïr admitted to being responsible for the deaths of William, Garnier de Naplouse—the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitalier— and Sibrand, the Grand Master of the Knights Teutonic, but maintained that his actions were justified as the men were traitors to the crown.

Richard and Altaïr at Arsuf

The Assassin then turned his focus to Robert de Sablé—the Grand Master of the Templar Order and one of Richard's own lieutenants—identifying him as the architect of the conspiracy who also intended to betray the King. However, Robert maintained that the Assassin's story was merely a ruse intended to prevent Richard from interfering in the Assassin's mission.

Unsure as to whom to believe, Richard left the judgment in the hands of God, decreeing that the matter be settled through a trial by combat between Altaïr and Robert de Sablé, alongside his elite Templar guards. Ultimately, Altaïr emerged victorious, leading Richard to accept the Assassin's account as truth.

Following the combat, the King and the Assassin discussed the nature of war and the prospect of peace, with Richard admitting he was not yet prepared for a truce with Saladin. Richard dismissed Altaïr's vision of peace as a contradiction, arguing that humans were naturally violent and unstable creatures who required the guidance of strong leaders because they did not know what they truly desired. As Altaïr prepared to depart to confront his own Master, Richard reminded him that Al Mualim was merely a human, susceptible to the same failings as any other man.

The revelation that his conflict with the Saracens had been exploited by the Templars eventually led Richard to make peace with Saladin. He would then head back home in 1192.

Legacy

After his death in battle at 1199, Richard was succeeded by his brother John Lackland, who was later manipulated by the Templars during his rule as king.

From 1851 to 1856, the artist Carlo Marochetti created a nine meter tall bronze statue of Richard I on his horse. The statue titled Richard Coeur de Lion is situated near Westminster Palace in London. The horse in the statue has its front foreleg up to symbolize Richard's death in battle.

In October 2016, the Templar historian Simon Hathaway noted that King Richard and his House of Plantagenet were nigh-legendary figures who had figured into the history of Chinon.

Personality and traits

Richard arguing with William

Richard was a man of profound faith who relied upon God for crucial decisions. He also demonstrated a degree of tolerance towards non-believers; for instance, he remained untroubled by Altaïr's refusal to credit God for his victory over Robert de Sablé. Richard was also extremely tall, standing at six feet and four inches, towering over most men in his time.

Richard held a fatalistic and contemptuous view of human nature, believing that mankind was inherently violent and unstable. Consequently, he maintained that peace could only be achieved through the absolute military defeat of his enemies, Saladin and the Saracens.

Skills and equipment

Richard armed himself with a sword and shield and displayed a proficiency to wield them. He displayed advanced martial and political leadership skills, his courage and combat ability were also considered to be legendary.

Trivia

• When observed through Eagle Vision, Richard appeared red, implying he was an enemy despite his friendly or neutral stance toward Altaïr.
• Richard could be attacked, but he could not be killed through normal means. To bypass this, a soldier had to be thrown toward the King; upon standing, the soldier would attempt to attack Altaïr from within the Animus barrier but strike Richard instead. This would force him outside of the barrier, from which point Altaïr could attack but not kill him.
• In Animus 1.28, Richard was portrayed with a French accent. This reflects historical reality: although Richard was born in England, he spent most of his life in France, and it is unknown to what extent he understood English.
• Richard's concept art depicts him with a shield, which he is not equipped with in-game.
• Richard is mentioned in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag within Robert de Sablé's "Great Minds in History" file, which can be obtained while the analyst is outside the Animus.
• Richard's voice actor, Marcel Jeannin, previously voiced Ivanhoe, the titular knight of King Richard, in Ivanhoe: The King's Knight.

Gallery

• 
  The flag of Richard's Crusade troops
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  Concept art of Richard
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  Richard Coeur de Lion by Carlo Marochetti
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  Close-up of Richard
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  Full body shot of Richard
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  Close-up of Richard talking to Altaïr

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade
• Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Memories (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Initiates (mentioned in Database entry only)
• Assassin's Creed: Heresy (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Eagle's Shadow (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Where's the Assassin? (non-canonical appearance)
• Echoes of History (mentioned only)