The Troubador's Song: The Capture and Ransom of Richard the Lionheart

British author Boyle retells the story of the medieval English king who, in 1192, was captured and imprisoned during his long journey home from the Third Crusade. Legend has it that Richard the Lionheart was found by the troubador Blondel, who sought the king by singing their favorite song at castle after castle across Europe until he heard Richard sing in reply. Boyle says the legend has been relegated to "children's books and romantic novels," but he attempts to rehabilitate it as serious history by retelling the saga with important historical details—though, as he admits, a lack of documentation makes a complete historical reconstruction impossible. Boyle discusses the crusade, the role of the troubadours in medieval Europe and, having written previously about money (Funny Money ), offers economic history, too, putting Richard's unprecedented ransom (amounting to one-fifth of the total wealth in England) in the context of the introduction of silver coinage: "It was a new economy of coins and money rather than hereditary obligation," Boyle writes, "and it was a source of regret to some who saw the old world beginning to disappear in a welter of silver pennies and rising prices." 31 illus., maps. Agent, Julian Alexander . (Nov. 4)