ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some of the accomplishments and problems associated with Richard Lionheart. His historical reputation is based primarily on his invincibility in warfare, and he spent most of his life on military campaigns. Scholars find support in Richard's crusading activity for placing him among exemplars of 'administrative kingship', seeing proof of his administrative and organisational skills: amassing treasure for the costs of the conflict in the Holy Land, ensuring discipline for his crusading host both on the voyage and in the Holy Land, seizing Cyprus as a source of supply, and making provision for his soldiers' material well-being. Scholars writing today should be more tolerant of Richard's warfare, both his crusade and his battles defending his polyglot dynastic heritage, than were nineteenth-century nationalist writers. Richard Lionheart failed at one of a medieval monarch's fundamental tasks; he died without leaving a son as his undoubted heir.
