Ends of Kings

In April 1199 Richard the Lionheart lay dying in his mother''s arms, victim of a well-aimed crossbow bolt and of an incompetent surgeon. Magnaminously, Richard pardoned the skilful archer, but ordered the slaughter of the rest of his enemies in the town he was besieging. A few days later as Richard''s dead body was being cut up for burial in Rouen, Fontevrault and other places, the hapless archer ...