Class Year
2016
Document Type
Student Research Paper
Date of Creation
Fall 2015
Department 1
History
Abstract
In order to achieve a more holistic understanding of Mediterranean History during the Third Crusade, a critical analysis of Richard I is necessary. This paper questions how accurately Richard I was portrayed in literary sources during the Third Crusade and attempts to construct as complete an image of the various motivations that led to differing depictions of Richard I as possible through a critical analysis of literary sources. Focusing on how his actions during the Third Crusade were interpreted, this paper will show the various, often opposing, sentiments held by both Western and Muslim authors on Richard I. Once a comprehensive presentation of the literary representations of Richard I has been established, this paper will question motives behind authors’ characterizations of King Richard in order to create a greater understanding of the politics and cultural biases that were driving forces behind the actions of the Third Crusade and modern interpretation.
Copyright Note
This is the author's version of the work. This publication appears in Gettysburg College's institutional repository by permission of the copyright owner for personal use, not for redistribution.
Recommended Citation
Reed, Estelle, "He Was The Best of Kings; He Was the Worst of Kings: A Critique of the Literary Presentation of Richard I" (2015). Student Publications. 410.
https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship/410
Comments
This paper was written for Professor Karim Samji's course, HIST 427- Mediterranean Encounters, Fall 2015.