Outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, Britain, stands a statue, life-size, of a brave horseman wearing mail armor, sword in hand, seemingly ready to rally his army into battle. The man is Richard I, titled Coeur de Lion, or Lionheart. The third son of King Henry II, Richard was last in line for the throne, but his fine physical stature (a height estimated at 6’4) and legendary bravery in battle made him a popular military leader. All three brothers united for a time to rebel against the king, but when that was put down and a series of misfortunes befell his two older brothers, Henry saw an opportunity to seize the throne for himself.

On this day, July 6, young Richard I, in alliance with King Philip II of France, ascended to the British throne. Having secured his reign, he turned to securing his legacy, mounting a great crusade against the armies of Sultan Salandin, who had recently captured Jerusalem.

Richard was halfway successful in his quest: he routed Salandin’s armies, keeping as many as 2,500 as prisoners of war, but his health was failing, and owing to disputes with his allies, he found his army alone outside Jerusalem, and no way of keeping the city even if he would take it. Although he never succeeded in his ultimate goal of taking back the Holy City, stories of his valor, such as picking off guards in towers from a stretcher he was carried on, immortalized his name.