Page 37 - All About History 55 - 2017 UK

Richard I: Rise of the Lion

A manuscript illumination of
Richard the Lionheart from
circa 1460

Royal rage Henry II and his sons were known for throwing tantrums

With family infighting being almost a hobby for the
Angevins, it’s not surprising to learn that many of
them possessed fiery tempers. These short fuses
often saw peace talks descend into nothing more
than shouting matches. One such meeting between
Henry II, Richard and Philip of France got so heated
that their retainers went for their weapons before
reason prevailed.
Henry II was famous for losing his rag and was
known to fly into fits of rage at the drop of a hat.
The mere mention of King William the Lion of
Scotland, a constant thorn in the king’s side, was
enough to make Henry throw a tantrum: “The king,
enflamed with his customary fury, threw the cap
from his head, untied his belt, hurled his mantle and
other garments from him, removed the silk coverlet
from the bed with his own hand and began to chew
the straw of the bedding.”
His favourite son, John, was cut from the same
cloth and, although he refrained from nibbling on
his bed, a disagreement with his chancellor saw
him mirror his father: “[John] was more angry, his
whole body was unrecognisable. Rage furrowed © Getty Images, Rex/Shutterstock, nicholas Forder, Kym Winters
his brow, his eyes glowed with flame, his rosy face
became livid; I know what would have become of
Richard I and Philip II were fast
the chancellor if he had fallen like a ripe apple into
friends but became bitter enemies
those gesticulating hands in the hour of his anger.”
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