11. Richard the Lionheart
In December 1192, during his return from the Third Crusade, King Richard I of England, known as Richard the Lionheart, was captured near Vienna by Duke Leopold V of Austria. This occurred after Richard had insulted Leopold by casting down his banner during the Siege of Acre. Richard was handed over to Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI, who demanded a ransom of 150,000 silver marks for his release. This sum was equivalent to two to three times the annual revenue of the English crown, placing a significant financial burden on England. To raise the ransom, Richard’s mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, imposed heavy taxes on the English populace, including a tithe of one-quarter on the people and substantial contributions from the Cistercian monks. After over a year in captivity, Richard was released in February 1194. His imprisonment and the subsequent financial strain on England have become legendary in medieval history (britannica.com).
