r/UKmonarchs • u/TheRedLionPassant Richard the Lionheart / Edward III • May 12 '25

On this day On this day in 1191, Richard I marries Berengaria of Navarre in St. George's Chapel, Limassol Castle, Cyprus; and Berengaria is crowned Queen

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"On the fourth day before the Ides of May, being the Lord's Day and the feast of Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, and St. Pancras, the Martyrs, Berengaria, daughter of the King of Navarre, was married to Richard, King of England, at Limassol, in the island of Cyprus, Nicholas, the King's chaplain, performing the services of that sacrament; and on the same day the King caused her to be crowned and consecrated Queen of England by John, Bishop of Evreux, he being assisted in the performance of the ceremony by the Archbishops of Apamea and Auxienne, and the Bishop of Bayonne."

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16

u/Glennplays_2305 Henry VII May 12 '25

Then he abandoned her which is prob an over exaggeration how much did they see each other for the next 8 years?

18

u/TheRedLionPassant Richard the Lionheart / Edward III May 12 '25

He didn't abandon her until after the crusade was over. They went together with Richard's sister Joan, but the two ladies returned to Europe before he did. After that he mostly ignored her to focus on reclaiming his lands but they were reunited briefly after a hermit chastised him for neglecting her.

10

u/cpmh1234 May 12 '25

I love stories about medieval monarchs - can you imagine Charles trying to save his relationship with Diana because a man living in a cave told him off?

9

u/TheRedLionPassant Richard the Lionheart / Edward III May 12 '25

It wasn't just that; he initially brushed it off until a narrow encounter with death led him to repent of his former sins. He was struck down with an illness and believed himself to be punished for ignoring the hermit's warning.

3

u/PralineKind8433 Henry VI May 13 '25

And she was by all accounts fine—after he died she spoke well of the relationship as I understand. Plus she got to live in comfort pretty decent deal for her

8

u/transemacabre Edward II May 12 '25

His mom chased him down to get him to marry Berengaria.

10

u/BackFroooom May 12 '25

Eleanor of Aquitaine has some amazing stories lol

2

u/PralineKind8433 Henry VI May 13 '25

Then he rescued her from pirates so..meet cute?

7

u/KaiserKCat Edward I May 12 '25

After Richard's death, Phillip gave her authority over Le Mans where she was popular with the people.

3

u/[deleted] May 16 '25

The most frequently forgotten Queen of England.

I find her name the most unique.

1

u/TheRedLionPassant Richard the Lionheart / Edward III May 16 '25

Edward I also re-used it for his daughter