Richard the Lionheart in prison

1192 Richard I of England (Lionheart) was captured in Vienna by Duke Leopold – whom he had publicly insulted in the course of his crusade – and was handed over as a prisoner to the Emperor Henry VI.

Richard I (1157 - 1199) was King of England from 1189 to 1199. He was often referred to as Richard the Lionheart, Coeur de Lion and Oc et No by the French, and Melek-Ric by the Saracens (his name in Arabic used to frighten children: "King Rick will get you if you don't watch out!").

Blondel, a legend
Richard’s imprisonment gave rise to the legend of Blondel. Blondel (de Nesle, late-12th Century) was a French poet and musician, a trouvère (later troubadour). He is most well known for the legend, first seen in the Récits d'un ménestrel de Reims (1260s), that after Richard I of England was captured and held for ransom in 1192 Blondel searched for him in Germany and Austria. The story relates that Blondel went from castle to castle singing a particular song (possibly 'L'amours dont sui espris'), the imprisoned Richard would reply with the second verse after Blondel sung the first -- thus identifying where Richard was imprisoned and then Blondel would (depending on the source) either aid the king's escape or report his position back to England.

Tagged: uk, history, biography, folklore