Richard the Lionheart

[Edward]

Hello, can anyone provide any info as to what Richard wore on the crusades? And the heraldry on his shield? My figure is dated 1190.. There seem to be various portrayals with different types of lions and a recent 70mm one by Mike Blank with a white cross on the left breast. Any links to online references/pictures would be much appreciated..

Thanks,
Edward

 

[Helm]

I don't think there is a "definitive" answer on this. Richard would have worn different heraldry on different occasions. His Royal arms were most likely the familiar 3 lions style, he would have also worn the "crusaders uniform" of a plain surcoat with a red or white cross. It's one of the advantages and disadvantages of the period that there is no photographs/accurate ( by our standards) paintings that can be used, as long as you don't break the rules of heraldry no colour on colour or metal on metal you are fairly safe

 

[Edward]

I don't think there is a "definitive" answer on this. Richard would have worn different heraldry on different occasions. His Royal arms were most likely the familiar 3 lions style, he would have also worn the "crusaders uniform" of a plain surcoat with a red or white cross. It's one of the advantages and disadvantages of the period that there is no photographs/accurate ( by our standards) paintings that can be used, as long as you don't break the rules of heraldry no colour on colour or metal on metal you are fairly safe

Thanks Steve. I am thinking of painting a red surcoat with a white cross on the left breast and the shield with the three gold lions. This is my first figure from this period..

 

[beczy]

Thanks Steve. I am thinking of painting a red surcoat with a white cross on the left breast and the shield with the three gold lions. This is my first figure from this period..

Hello Edward,

During the crusades Richard used a shield with two lions (two lions combattant). He used the shield with three lions at the end of his life.

 

[Figurenfreund66]

Hi Edward

Since only the cross as a sign for the crusaders had seen before, I think you can use your planned painted with heraldry and the cross.
He was not a Knight of the Order!

Cheers

Hendryk

 

[Martin Antonenko]

Hi Edward!

As far as I know it is still not entirely clear what coat of arms King Richard I ("Lionheart") during the Third Crusade (1189-1192) carried:

Most likely is the coat of arms of Count of Poitou...:

Possible also is the coat of arms of the King of England in the version that was valid until 1194...:

IMHO the version with the three yellow lions is definetively wrong, for this coat of arms was valid after 1194.

Cheers

 

[Edward]

Thanks a lot guys. And thanks for the images Martin, that's a great help.

 

[Helm]

I'm not familiar with said figure but if you wanted a somewhat different "take" on Richard. The medieval writer , Geoffrey de Vinsauf, commenting on King Richard’s appearance at Cyprus noted “He was clothed in a vest of rose-coloured stuff ornamented with rows of crescents of solid silver, like orbs of the sun shining in thick profusion."

 

[Mr Bonehead]

Hi Richard
Have joined this site to let you know about Richard the Lionheart or Coeur De Lion as he is known in France.I have researched this a lot,Mr Rohmann is correct with the second image apart from the claws,if you google mr boneheads dragbike on images you will see the shield emblem painted on my tank,I live in France and Richard the lion heart spent most of his 10yr reign as king of England in the area the Limousin in which i live.The 3 lions that most people asociate with England was adopted towards the end of his reign before in 1899,Whilst crushing a revolt by Aimar the viscount of Limoges Richard took over a virtually unarmed castle called Chalus Chabrol, in march 1899 was he walking without chain mail around the castle walls laughing at one of his crossbow men who was using a frying pan to hit back objects being thrown by the French,unfortunately an arrow was fired outside the walls from which struck Richard in the shoulder.The young boy who shot the arrow was brought before the dying king and stated he had shot Richard in revenge for killing his father and two brothers,however rather than having the boy killed he pardoned him and gave him 100 shillings.Richard later died 6 April 1899 when the wound became gangrenous and became known as The king That By The Ant Was Slain ,Richards body parts distributed around France,but his act of kindness was fruitless as on Richards death the mercenary Captain Mercadier had the boy flailed alive and hung. Hope this has been of help and good luck with the model.

Regards from France Mr B