2-651-749 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Bertrand de Gourdon before Richard', c1860, (c1860). On the 25th March 1199, Richard was walking around the castle perimeter investigating the protection of the castle walls. A guard deliberately aimed a crossbow at the king, which the king applauded however, another crossbowman then struck the king in the left shoulder. A surgeon removed the arrow but the wound swiftly became gangrenous. Richard asked to have the crossbowman Bertrand de Gourdon brought before him, where he pardoned him as a last act of mercy. From The Comic History of England, Volume I, by Gilbert A A'Beckett. [Bradbury, Agnew, & Co., London]