The King Who Sold Scotland

Richard I, known as Richard the Lionheart, is one of the most famous kings in English history. However, while he was a great warrior, he certainly failed England as a king. Richard was the third son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Although he was born in Oxford, and spent his childhood in England he didn't speak English and spent less than a year (of his 10-years reign) in England. Richard was more concerned with going on crusades than with the welfare of his kingdom.

Born in 1157, Richard was his mother's favorite son, and he spent much of his life in Aquitaine, the land he inherited from his mother. In 1173-1174 he joined his elder brother, Henry the Young King, in a rebellion against his father. After the rebellion failed he had to beg his father for forgiveness. With the death of Henry the Young King in 1183, Richard became the heir to the throne. Aware of that, he swore an oath of alliance to the French King Philip II, and in 1189 he joined Philip in a campaign against his father, hoping to take the throne for himself. This time he was successful, Henry II died on July 6th 1189, and Richard became King of England.

Richard's main concern was the third crusade, and he saw England as a source of income. He is believed to have said "I would have sold London if I could find a buyer." Even though he didn't sell London, Richard did sell Scotland to raise money for his campaign. He spent most of his father's treasury, raised taxes, sold positions and lands, and to gain even more money he sold Scotland for 10,000 marks to King William I of Scotland.

Richard then went to the third crusade, together with King Philip. During the crusade Richard was able to gain some territories, but failed to conquer Jerusalem. On his return to England he was made prisoner by Duke Leopold of Austria and had to ransomed. Richard died on April 6th 1199 of a wound he suffered at the siege of Châlus. He named John, his younger brother, as his successor.