[Quick set-up: Early in 1199, a Limousin peasant ploughing his field accidentally turns up a rich Gallo-Roman treasure horde. The peasant took it to his lord, from whom it was claimed by his overloard, the viscount of Limoges. The viscount was a vassal of King Richard, and the king, as was his right in feudal law, demanded that it be handed over to him at once (he was strapped for cash at the time). The viscount offered to surrender half of it, but no more. Needless to say, Richard elected to take it by force, and marched on Châlus, where the treasure was being kept. Also of note is that this ‘campaign’ took place during Lent, which was traditionally a season of peace. During the siege, the king went on horseback to see how the work was progressing, and was unfortunately struck by a crossbow bolt in the shoulder, just below the neck. When the surgeons pulled the bolt out, the shaft broke, and the head seems to have become hooked onto the king’s spine. Gangrene set in, and Richard sent for his mother, realizing then that he was about to die.]
The king prepared for death in an edifying manner, making a public confession in which he repented of betraying his father, of making war in Lent and of refusing to take communion because of his hatred for Philip II. He also announced that he was prepared to wait in purgatory until the Last Judgement to atone for his sins. He then received holy communion, which he had not done since he was on crusade.
When the castle fell, the young crossbowman who had shot the fatal bolt was brought before him. ‘You killed my father and my brother’, said the boy defiantly, ‘and you can do what you want to me. I am not sorry.’
But Richard pardoned him, saying, ‘Leave in peace. I forgive you for my death and will take no revenge. Enjoy the daylight, as my gift.’
The queen mother arrived ‘as though borne by the wind’, and Richard died in her arms on the evening of 6 April 1199 – ‘as the day ended, so ended his life’.
The king had asked for his heart to be interred at his ‘faithful city’ of Rouen, near his brother Henry; his body itself was buried at Fontevrault at the foot of his father, as a sign of repentance for having rebelled against him.
Source:
Seward, Desmond. “The Death of Richard.” Eleanor of Aquitaine. New York: Times , 1979. 213. Print.
Further Reading:
Philippe Auguste (Philip Augustus) / Philip II of France
Richard I of England / Richard Cœur de Lion (Richard the Lionheart) / Oc e No (Yes and No)
Royal Abbey of Our Lady of Fontevraud / abbaye de Fontevraud (Fontevrault)
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