| RICHARD
AND THE LIMOUSIN |
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Richard,
son of the celebrated Eleanor of Aquitaine, came to
the throne in 1189, and inherited an empire which encompassed
Normandy and Aquitaine.
In theory, these lands made him obeisant to his 'superior',
the King of France. In 1194 the two kings, who had formerly
been allies, went to war over these territories. With
his crushingly superior military strength, Richard forced
Philippe Auguste into a truce, imposed and arbitrated
by the Pope. He then decided to carry the war into the
Limousin to teach a lesson to the Vicornte of Limoges
(supposed to be his vassal) whose loyalty was wearing
under pressure from the king of France.
On 20th March 1199, Richard laid siege to the Chateau
of Chalus-Chabrol, a keystone in the circle of fortresses
protecting the South West of the Vicornte. He was wounded
shortly afterwards by a crossbow bolt and died on 6th
April. Before he died, he secured a pardon for the garrison
and the crossbowman. However, following his death, the
entire garrison was promptly hung and the crossbowman
was flayed alive!
One possible reason for Richard's zeal in besieging
this stronghold is that he coveted the treasure that
the Viscount of Limoges was supposed to have unearthed
there. There may well be a shred of truth in the tale
since the area had been mined for gold since antiquity.
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