[Quick set-up: The future King Richard, popularly known as The Lionheart, turns against his father, King Henry II. He demands some marriage arrangements that had been controversial, that Henry should guarantee his succession to the throne of England, and that he should immediately be given certain named territories. The old king refuses his demands. In return, he left to swear vassalage to the French king, and they both combined forces to attack King Henry.]
In June 1189 the combined armies of count Richard and king Philip invaded Maine. In residence at the capital, Le Mans, Henry had too few troops to stop them. He set fire to Le Mans, although it had been his birthplace – some say that the burning was an accident – and fled towards Angers, pursued by his son. But Richard found his way barred by William Marshal, the most redoubtable knight of his age. Afraid for once, the count cried out, ‘Marshal, don’t kill me – it would be wicked as I’m unarmed’.
William replied, ‘I shan’t kill you, but I hope the devil does’, and drove his lance into Richard’s horse to bring him crashing to the ground.
Shortly afterwards, Henry, who was seriously ill from blood poisoning, met his enemies at Villandry. Swaying in the saddle but refusing to dismount, he agreed to all their demands. As he gave his son the kiss of peace, he whispered in Richard’s ear, ‘God grant that I don’t die before I can take my revenge on you’.
But the old king had to return to Chinon in a litter, a dying man. He was so bitter that at first he refused to be shriven. ‘Why should I revere Christ? Why should I honour Him who dishonours me?’ For Henry had learnt on his deathbed that even his favourite child John had gone over to the enemy. Only his bastard son Geoffrey remained with him.
His face turned to the wall, Henry II’s last words were, ‘Shame on a conquered king’.
Source:
Seward, Desmond. “The Lost Years.” Eleanor of Aquitaine. New York: Times , 1979. 147. Print.
Further Reading:
Richard I of England / Richard Cœur de Lion (Richard the Lionheart) / Oc e No (Yes and No)
Philip II of France / Philippe Auguste (Philip Augustus)
Henry II of England / Court-manteau (Henry Curtmantle) / Henry FitzEmpress / Henry Plantagenet
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke / Williame le Mareschal (William the Marshal)
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