'"Lionheart" took a lot of work, said Biff Byford in an interview. "Richard the Lionheart is a heavy historical figure, and if you're going to write a song about him it has to be one that's moving, almost like a hymn or a psalm; an anthemic kind of song certainly, a call to arms even."
Richard the First was called the Lionheart because of his reputation as a great military leader and warrior. He was King of England from 1189 until his death in 1199. By the age of 16, Richard had taken command of his own army, putting down rebellions in Poitou against his father. He commanded the Third Crusade in the campaign after the departure of Philip II of France and finalized the Treaty of Jaffa, ending the campaign without retaking Jerusalem. After he took the throne, he spent most of his reign either on Crusades, in captivity, or actively defending his lands in France.
His role not as a ruler but as a defender of his land had garnered a lot of respect and love from his people to the point that to this day he's known more for his moniker than his regional title, and is an enduring iconic figure both in England and in France.
'"Lionheart" took a lot of work, said Biff Byford in an interview. "Richard the Lionheart is a heavy historical figure, and if you're going to write a song about him it has to be one that's moving, almost like a hymn or a psalm; an anthemic kind of song certainly, a call to arms even."
Richard the First was called the Lionheart because of his reputation as a great military leader and warrior. He was King of England from 1189 until his death in 1199. By the age of 16, Richard had taken command of his own army, putting down rebellions in Poitou against his father. He commanded the Third Crusade in the campaign after the departure of Philip II of France and finalized the Treaty of Jaffa, ending the campaign without retaking Jerusalem. After he took the throne, he spent most of his reign either on Crusades, in captivity, or actively defending his lands in France.
His role not as a ruler but as a defender of his land had garnered a lot of respect and love from his people to the point that to this day he's known more for his moniker than his regional title, and is an enduring iconic figure both in England and in France.