Was Richard I neglectful of England ?

Richard can be judged as a neglectful King due to his absense in Crusade. 

Despite this he still achieved control by appointing trustworthy leader.

Longchamp's mistake was no fault of Richard 

Fullfilled all aspects a King should be - Military skilled, leadership,organisation.

More succsfull in all aspects than any other King as he made sure key workable structures were in place before he left to fight in the Holywar. 

Richard inherited a fincially wealthy Kingdom-£100,000 marks in the English Treasury.

•  The sum did not last due to coronation cost of £24,000+inflation,rebellion,Welsh unrest. 
• Richard responded to the fincial decrease by selling land: Roger of Howden 'everything was for sale,offices,lordships,earldomssheriffdoms,castles,towns,the lot' - Hugh de puiset (Bishop of Durham) purchased Northumberlan for 2,000 marks + an extra 1,000 to release hik from crusade. 

Counter: Gillingham: Richard only sold lands to 'Men of experience'--> England was not in danger. 

• Richard was like all other monarchs-had an intrest in raising substantial money for war.
• Richard just raised the money much more efficently (4months) - shows he is a good tactful leader. 

Richard was not neglectful of England as he acted quickly to the fincial depletion of England-made intelligent sales which only improved the fincial postiion of England. 

Richard made new appointments to senior positions of Government. Some choices arecontroversial between historians...

William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely appointed as joint Justiciar in 1189 -Vs- Hugh de puiset. 

• Humble background,Norman origin,did not speak English-Not popular amongst English 
• Longchamps language barrier created divisions in Government as the newly appointed Hugh De Puiset cold not work with him- Sphere of authority became official at Humber March 1190. 
• Anti-foreign feeling grew as by June 1190, Longchamp established supremacy over Hugh
• Longchamps new found power caused him to demonstrate himself as arrogant and extravagent. 

This did not serve Government well as it created an undercurrent of rebels...

Count John was to blame for the inflation of Anti-foreign feeling

• Opposed Longchamp after he agreed with Richard making his nephew, Arthur,heir to the throne.
• John exploited Longchamp by declaring he was 'importing foreigners and unknown men'(DEVIZERS)

Longchamps response:

• Physical threats to John-beseiged Lincoln castle&targeted wigmore castle when Mortimer revolted.
• This resulted in Johns rebellion-Not a major threat due to quit-claim of canterbury which prevented esculation. 

September 1191: Longchamps men arrest Archbishop Geoffrey when in refuge at dover priory.

• Increased the seriousness of Johns rebellion as many allied with John against the foreign rival.
• Longchamp fled in disgrace. 
• RICHARD'S NEGLECTION CAN BE BLAMED FOR THIS DISORDER. 

Richard trusted Longchamp: 

• It was important for a King to trust in his chancellor as he learned from Henry II relationship with Becket
• Longchamp never betrayed/went against Richard personally- Justifies why Richard never felt the need to demote his position.
• Not fluent in English but well educated/ experienced in Civil Law.

Lands Given to John:

• Majority of land was given to John at the coronation- Was this Richard neglecting? 
• ⅓ of English lands and he had inherited Ireland.
• already holding Derby,Glamorgan and Newport because of his marriage to Isabel of Gloucester.
• received honorary lands of Tickhill,Wallingford,Lancaster, Marlborough and Ludgershall.

Large disribiution can seen as a wekness of Richard-not coping with lands.

Gillingham believes Richard was honouring his father's will by giving John £4000 worth of land Richard never expanded the request of his father, in fact he tried to limit Johns powerbase by refusing to grant to him castles.

NOT NEGLECTFUL OF ENGLAND 

• Still demonstarted control in his absense 
• Trustworthy leader-Longchamp
• Longchamp's mistakes were no fault of no direct effect to Richard. 
• Most succesfull King both militarlily and finacially