Lionheart

Name: Lionheart
Rating: 4.3 (1818 reviews)

by Sharon Kay Penman

Book 4 in the Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine series.

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Audio available 4.3

Europe and the eastern Mediterranean, 1189–1192. Newly crowned Richard I leaves his kingdom to join the Third Crusade. His route takes him through Sicily and Cyprus before the siege of Acre, where competing rulers and crusader factions struggle over command, succession and the purpose of the campaign.

Richard wins major victories against Saladin but cannot retake Jerusalem. The novel follows his military decisions, his marriage to Berengaria of Navarre, his relationship with his sister Joanna and his rivalry with Philip II of France, ending as he leaves the Holy Land to confront threats to his continental lands and English throne.

Historical periods

Medieval Period High Medieval Angevin Empire Crusades Third Crusade

Historical people

Eleanor of Aquitaine1124–1204 Richard I of England1157–1199 John, King of England1166–1216 Philip II of France1165–1223 Saladin1138–1193 Guy of Lusignan1150–1194 Leopold V, Duke of Austria1157–1194