Heroes and Villains

Richard the Lionheart (1x5)

Air date: Mar 22, 2008

Richard the Lionheart is one of history’s greatest warrior kings. Renowned for his bravery and driven by his quest for glory, he fought an epic crusade against Saladin for control of the Holy Lands in the 12th Century. In 1192 the situation appeared desperate for the Christians. On the point of defeat, Richard staked his reputation on one final battle at the strategic port of Jaffa. Exhausted, riddled with disease and on the verge of mutiny, Richard’s men were in no fit state to face the armies of Saladin. But inspired by Richard’s immense bravery and astute tactics, they won a glorious victory. Saladin agreed to a truce leaving the crusader forces to retain a large strip of coastline from modern-day Egypt to Lebanon and to permit Christian pilgrims into Jerusalem. The crusader state would endure for a further hundred years; Richard’s reputation as a warrior king would last forever.