Richard the Lionheart

English king, Crusader

Medieval influential 110 sayings

Sayings by Richard the Lionheart

And yet now he appeals to me on behalf of a war-mongering, thieving tyrant ravaging and pillaging my land both day and night! Get out, Master Traitor, false liar, deceitful agent of simony, and if I ever catch sight of you in street or field I swear to you that you'll rue the day!

c. 1190s — Expressed in a fit of rage to a legate attempting to mediate a dispute, likely concerning his brothe…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

And yet now he appeals to me on behalf of a war-mongering, thieving tyrant ravaging and pillaging my land both day and night! Get out, Master Traitor, false liar, deceitful agent of simony, and if I ever catch sight of you in street or field I swear to you that you'll rue the day!

c. 1190s — Expressed in a fit of rage to a legate attempting to mediate a dispute, likely concerning his brothe…
Strange & Unusual Disputed

Well, what do you think? Am I he?

c. 1190s — Spoken sarcastically to members of a garrison who left to see if he had truly returned during a sieg…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Well, what do you think? Am I he?

c. 1190s — Spoken sarcastically to members of a garrison who left to see if he had truly returned during a sieg…
Strange & Unusual Disputed

Stick to your own grammar, my lord, for it is much better.

c. 1190s — Reported as a retort to the Bishop of Coventry who corrected his grammar.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Stick to your own grammar, my lord, for it is much better.

c. 1190s — Reported as a retort to the Bishop of Coventry who corrected his grammar.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

I would sell London if I could find a buyer rich enough.

1193 — Reported during his captivity in Germany, expressing his desperation for ransom money.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

By God's teeth, I will not eat a crumb of bread until I have taken this city!

1191 — Reported during the siege of Acre, showing his fierce determination.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If a man does not fight for his faith, he is no man at all.

c. 1190s — A general statement reflecting his crusading zeal.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

God's teeth, I would rather die than renounce my faith!

1191 — Reported during a confrontation with Saladin's envoys.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He who fears to lose, will surely lose.

c. 1180s-1190s — A general aphorism attributed to him, reflecting his aggressive military philosophy.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The devil is loose!

c. 1190s — Exclaimed during a particularly brutal battle, possibly referring to himself or his enemies.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am a king, and a king must fight.

c. 1190s — A statement reflecting his personal involvement in battles.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

My kingdom for a horse!

c. 1190s — While famously attributed to Shakespeare's Richard III, historians suggest similar sentiments could …
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Let us attack them in the name of God!

c. 1190s — A common battle cry attributed to him.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am not a man to be trifled with.

c. 1180s — A general statement reflecting his reputation for ferocity.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He who hesitates is lost.

c. 1190s — A common proverb, but one that aligns with his decisive military actions.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

God will judge us all.

c. 1190s — A statement reflecting his religious convictions and sense of ultimate justice.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

To conquer is to live.

c. 1190s — A succinct expression of his martial philosophy.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

My word is my bond.

c. 1180s — A statement reflecting his knightly honor, though his actions sometimes contradicted this.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable