Page:History of the Kings and Queens of England.pdf/6

 RICHARD I., surnamed Lion's Heart, succeeded his father on the 6th July, 1189. In his person he was tall, graceful, and well proportioned; with blue sparkling eyes. and yellow hair, inclining to red. He was an illustrious warrior, and possessed a fund of eloquence: but his character was stained with ambition, cruelty, and debauchery, and his thirst for military glory made him neglect the happiness of his people. His death was occasioned by a wound at the siege of Chaluz, in Limousin, of which he died, April 6, 1199, in the 43d year of his age, and the 10th of his reign. In this reign the city of London had first a mayor, and was divided into corporations, now called companies.

JOHN, surnamed Lackland, was the fourth son of Henry II., and after the death of his brother, Richard I., he ascended the throne in 1199. His reign was disturbed by a variety of vexations and disappointments; and at length grief and fatigue threw him into & fever, which was augmented by eating peaches and drinking new ale. He died at Newark, October 18, 1216, in the 51st year of his age, and the 17th of his reign. His general character was such that he was contemned and hated by his subjects, abhorred by the clergy, and despised by all the neighbouring princes of Europe.

In this reign sterling money was first coined in England, and the famous Magna Charta granted by the king at Runnymede.