Lionheart : The True Story of England's Crusader King

**Reveals the dark side of England's most celebrated monarch** When people think of Richard the Lionheart they recall the scene at the end of every Robin Hood epic when he returns from the crusade to punish his treacherous brother John and the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham. In reality Richard detested England and the English, was deeply troubled by his own sexuality and was noted for greed, not generosity, and for murder rather then mercy. In youth Richard showed no interest in girls, but a taste for cruelty and a greed for gold that would literally be the death of him. To save his own skin, he repeatedly abandoned his supporters to an evil fate, and his lack of interest in women saw the part of queen at his coronation played by his formidable mother, Queen Eleanor. His brief reign bankrupted England twice, destabilized the powerful empire his parents had put together and set the scene for his brother's ruinous rule. So how has Richard come to be known as the noble Christian hero associated with such bravery and patriotism? This book reveals the scandalous truth about England's hero king—a truth that is far different to the myth that has endured for eight centuries. When People Think Of Richard The Lionheart They Recall The Scene At The End Of Every Robin Hood Epic When He Returns From The Crusade To Punish His Treacherous Brother John And The Wicked Sheriff Of Nottingham. In Reality Richard Detested England And The English, Was Deeply Troubled By His Own Sexuality And Was Noted For Greed, Not Generosity, And For Murder Rather Than Mercy. ... [this Book] Reveals The ... Truth About England's Hero King - A Truth That Is Far Different From The Legend That Has Endured For Eight Centuries.--book Jacket. Introduction -- Part One: The Education Of A Prince; (1. To Eleanor, A Son ; 2. Duke To King, Duchess To Queen ; 3. Court Whores And Confusion ; 4. The 15-year-old Duke) -- Part Two: A Life Of Violence (5. Rebellion And Betrayal ; 6. Death Of A Prince ; 7. Heir To The Empire ; 8. The Hell Of Hattin ; 9. The Call Of Destiny ; 10. The Enemy Within) -- Part Three: The Crusader King (11. Death By The Sword, Death By Sickness, Death By Starvation ; 12. Of Cogs And Cargo ; 13. Sea-sickness And Siege ; 14. A Bride For Richard ; 15. If It Be God's Will -- ; 16. Exit Philip Augustus ; 17. Blood On The Sand, Blood In The Mud) -- Part Four : Riding To A Fall (18. The Cost Of An Insult ; 19. Richard And Robin Hood? Maybe ; 20. Good King Richard ; 21. Death In Agony ; 22. Of A Siege, Sex And Saddles) -- On The Trail Of The Lionheart: Places To Visit. Douglas Boyd. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. When people think of Richard the Lionheart they recall the scene at the end of every Robin Hood epic when he returns from the Crusades to punish his treacherous brother John and the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham. In reality Richard detested England and the English, was deeply troubled by his own sexuality and was noted for greed, not generosity, and for murder rather than mercy.In youth Richard showed no interest in girls; instead, a taste for cruelty and a rapacity for gold that would literally be the death of him. To save his own skin, he repeatedly abandoned his supporters to an evil fate, and his indifference to women saw the part of queen at his coronation played by his formidable mother, Queen Eleanor.His brief reign bankrupted England twice, destabilised the powerful empire his parents had put together and set the scene for his brother's ruinous rule. So how has Richard come to be known as the noble Christian warrior associated with such bravery and patriotism? Lionheart reveals the scandalous truth about England's hero king – a truth that is far different from the legend that has endured for eight centuries. When people think of Richard the Lionheart they recall the scene at the end of every Robin Hood epic when he returns from the crusade to punish his treacherous brother John and the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham. In reality Richard detested England and the English, was deeply troubled by his own sexuality and was noted for greed, not generosity, and for murder rather than mercy. In youth Richard showed no interest in girls, but a taste for cruelty and a greed for gold that would literally be the death of him. To save his own skin, he repeatedly abandoned his supporters to an evil fate, and his lack of interest in women saw the part of queen at his coronation played by his formidable mother, Queen Eleanor. His brief reign bankrupted England twice, destabilised the powerful empire his parents had put together and set the scene for his borther's ruinous rule. So how has Richard come to be known as the noble Christian hero associated with such bravery and patriotism? Lionheart... When people think of Richard the Lionheart they recall the scene at the end of every Robin Hood epic when he returns from the crusade to punish his treacherous brother John and the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham. In reality Richard detested England and the English, was deeply troubled by his own sexuality and was noted for greed, not generosity, and for murder rather than mercy. This book reveals the dark side of England's most celebrated monarch