Chapter Rhine to Richelieu of R by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Richard (Prince), eldest son of king Henry II.—Sir W. Scott: The Betrothed (time, Henry II.).

Richard “Cœur de Lion,” introduced in two novels by sir W. Scott (The Talisman and Ivanhoe). In the latter he first appears as “The Black Knight,” at the tournament, and is called Le Noir Fainéant or “The Black Sluggard;” also “The Knight of the Fetter-lock.”

Richard a Name of Terror The name of Richard I., like that of Attila, Bonaparte, Corvinus, Narses, Sebastian, Talbot, Tamerlane, and other great conquerors, was at one time employed in terrorem to disobedient children. (See Names Of Terror, p. 743.)

His tremendous name was employed by the Syrian mothers to silence their infants; and if a horse suddenly started from the way, his rider was wont to exclaim, “Dost thou think king Richard is in the bush?” —Gibbon Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, xi. 146 (1776-88).

The Daughters of Richard 1. When Richard was in France, Fulco a priest told him he ought to beware how he bestowed his daughters in marriage. “I have no daughters,” said the king. “Nay, nay,” replied Fulco, “all the world knows that you have three—Pride, Covetousness, and Lechery.” “If these are my daughters,” said the king, “I know well how to bestow them where they will be well cherished. My eldest I give to the Knights Templars; my second to the monks; and my third, I cannot bestow better than on yourself, for I am sure she will never be divorced nor neglected.”—Milles: True Nobility (1610).

The Horse of Richard I., Fennel.

Ah, Fennel, my noble horse, thou bleedest, thou art slain!—Cœur de Lion and His Horse.

The Troubadour of Richard I., Bertrand de Born.

Richard II.’s Horse, Roan Barbary.—Shakespeare: Richard II. act v. sc. 5 (1597).

Richard III., a tragedy by Shakespeare (1597). At one time, parts of Rowe’s tragedy of Fane Shore were woven in the acting edition, and John Kemble introduced other clap-traps from Colley Cibber. The best actors of this part were David Garrick (1716–1779), Henry Mossop (1729–1773), and Edmund Kean (1787–1833).

Richard III. was only 19 years old at the opening of Shakespeare’s play.—Sharon Turner.

The Horse of Richard III., White Surrey.—Shakespeare: Richard III. act v. sc. 3 (1597).

Richard’s himself again! These words were interpolated by John Kemble from Colley Cibber.

Richelieu (Armand), cardinal and chief minister of France. The duke of Orleans (the king’s brother), the count de Baradas (the king’s favourite), and other noblemen conspired to assassinate Richelieu, dethrone Louis XIII., and make Gaston duke of Orleans the regent. The plot was revealed to the cardinal by Marion de Lorme, in whose house the conspirators met. The conspirators were arrested, and several of them put to death, but Gaston duke of Orleans turned king’s evidence and was pardoned.—Lord Lytton: Richelieu (1839).