King of England Richard the Lionheart was known as the most courageous and noble knight of medieval Europe. War was the element and meaning of his life. But, having glorified his name with numerous exploits, Richard plunged England into the abyss of adversity, because he was not interested in governing the country and did not leave an heir. Neither politics nor women interested him. King Richard was always surrounded by young, handsome knights and sweet-voiced minstrels. The novel tells the story of Richard's crusade to the Holy Land, the intrigues surrounding the king and his beautiful wife Berengaria.