Richard Coeur-de-Lion - Rouen Cathedral, France

walwyn Sat, 09/18/2010 - 16:46
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Richard I tomb

 

Tomb of Richard I of England (d1199). This is one of three tombs to Richard I, this one is said to contain his heart, his entrails were buried in Châlus (where he died), and the rest of his body was buried at the feet of his father, Henry II, at Fontevraud Abbey in Anjou.

 

The effigy was missing for many years, but in 1838 an excavation of the spot were there was an inscription to Richard revealed the former effigy. It is made from a single piece of stone and consists of a 6ft gissant resting his head on a square cushion, and his feet rest on a crouching lion. On his head is a crown decorated with jewels, also he wears a tunic and embroidered belt. The tomb of his elder brother Henry the Young King is in the north ambulatory.

For some five hundred years after his death Richard was considered to be England’s greatest king often mentioned alongside Alexander, Charlemagne, and Augustus. More modern historians have described him as the worst of kings “A bad son, bad husband, and bad king”.1

king Richard I tomb Rouen cathedral france king Richard I tomb Rouen cathedral france

 

See here for other pages associated with Rouen Cathedral.