The West

Abelard, Pierre, scholastic philosopher, theologian and preeminent logician. Author of “Sic et Non” (Yes and No). Richard the Lionheart has been termed Richard Yes and No.

Abbot Suger, abbot of Saint-Denis. Biographer of Louis VI, and councilor to Louis VI and Louis VII of France. Served as regent of France during the Second Crusade.

Adele of Champagne, third wife of Louis VII of France and mother of Louis’ only son and heir, the future Philip II.

Alys Capet, second daughter of Louis VII of France and Constance of Castile. Betrothed as a child to Richard the Lionheart. Eventually marrying the count of Ponthieu.

Arthur of Brittany, regarded as Richard the Lionheart’s heir until he was captured by King John and subsequently disappeared.

Arthur of Brittany, regarded as Richard the Lionheart’s heir until he was captured by King John and subsequently disappeared.

Baldwin de Bethune, count of Aumale. Devoted follower of Richard the Lionheart and accompanied him on the Third Crusade. Also served as a hostage after Richard’s release from captivity.

Berengaria of Navarre, Queen of England (1191-1199). Wed Richard the Lionheart in Cyprus in the Third Crusade. Died without issue.

Bernard of Clairvaux, (saint) founding member of the austere Cistercian monasticism. Promoter of the Knights Templar and the Second Crusade.

Bertran de Born, Lord of Hautefort in the Limousin and major troubadour of the Twelfth Century. Master of the sirventes. Sided with Richard the Lionheart in rebellion against his father, King Henry II.

Blanche of Castile, Queen of France (consort to Louis VIII), grand daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. Mother of Saint Louis IX.

Conrad III, the first King of Germany of the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Son of Duke Frederick I of Swabia and Agnes.

Conrad, Marquis of Montferrat, contender with King Guy of Lusignan for the crown of Jerusalem. Assassinated shortly before he was crowned

Constance of Sicily, Queen regnant 1154-1191. Empress consort of the Holy Roman Empire , 1191-1197. Wife of Henry VI of Germany. Mother of “The Wonder of the World” Frederick II.

Cretien de Troyes French poet and trouvere. Originator of the Arthurian Romances introducing the character of Lancelot.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duchess of Aquitaine, countess of Poitou, Queen of France (as wife of Louis VII, and queen of England (as wife of Henry II). Mother of Richard the LIonheart.

Eleanor Plantagenet, second daughter of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Mother of Blanche of Castile. Marries future King Louis VIII, Grandmother of Saint Louis IX.

Eustace of Boulogne, count of Boulogne, son and heir of King Stephen of England. His death in 1153 made it possible for Henry II to ascend the throne.

Frederick Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor (1155-1190) struggled with the Church, the Lombards and the German nobility. Died on route to the Holy Land during the Third Crusade.

Geoffrey of Anjou, Count of Anjou, Touraine, and Maine. Wed to Matilda, daughter of King Henry I (Beauclerc). Father of Henry II and founder of the Plantagenet line.

Geoffrey Plantagenet, Duke of Brittany. Fourth son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Rebelled against his father. Geoffrey’s son, Arthur, was born posthomously.

Geoffrey the Bastard, Archbishop of York. Illegitimate son of Henry II of England. Half-brother of Richard the Lionheart.

Gerald of Wales, or Giraldus Cambrensis. Chronicler, royal clerk and chaplain to King Henry II of England.

Guy of Lusignan, King of Jerusalem as husband of Sibylle of Jerusalem. After the disasterous Battle of Hittin, King Guy wrestled for the crown with Conrad of Montferrat.