ABSTRACT
In 1189 Richard I the Lionheart was able to take over the Angevin Empire intact, despite Henry II’s plans for division. Philip Augustus sought to gain advantage from his early return from the Holy Land. He has been accused of contemplating invasion of Richard’s lands despite his oath, and only desisting because the French barons opposed it, but this seems to be a calumny. Part of Richard’s problem was a potential new area for conflict in Brittany. Before Richard’s return from captivity, Philip had advanced across the Norman border and won something like thirty fortresses. He had pushed forward the French border to an additional ring of territory around Rouen. The death of Richard brought the war to a conclusion in Philip’s favour: he could now expect some advance in Normandy and Berry. Part of Philip’s success was to demonstrate how damaging opposition to himself could be, and Normandy had borne the brunt of the war.
