Podcast Summary: “Acontece que no es poco | Regresa a Inglaterra el rey Ricardo, corazón de león y cabeza de chorlito”
Podcast: Todo Concostrina (SER Podcast)
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Date: March 13, 2024

Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina, with her characteristic wit and irreverence, revisits the history and the myth surrounding Richard the Lionheart (Ricardo Corazón de León): dismantling the legendary image of the "noble king" who became a hero in films and popular storytelling—particularly those associated with Robin Hood. The show explores the real character of Richard, the circumstances of his capture and return to England, and how these events got mythologized, often ignoring the actual indifference or even hostility of his contemporaries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historical Myth vs. Reality

• Carla opens by noting how history often inflates certain figures, turning them into legends. The common image of Richard the Lionheart as a beloved, heroic warrior king is put into question.

  • “El tal Ricardo existió, es verdad, pero me temo que no era exactamente como nos lo han pintado en el cine, ¿a que no?” – Carla (00:49)

• Nieves immediately underlines that Richard was more myth than substance:

  • “Yo creo que fue más cabeza de chorlito que Corazón de León, pero en su caso bastó con que el cine le cubriera de fama. Como rey fue bastante birria y como cruzado, birria y media.” – Nieves (01:27)

• The cinema, especially films linked to Robin Hood, is largely responsible for romanticizing his figure.

2. Who Was Richard the Lionheart?

• The episode briefly traces his family:

  • Richard was the third of five children of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. His favored status in the family, and internal strife (his mother was even imprisoned by his father), set the stage for his reign.
  • “Aquello acabó mal aparte. Mal rollo entre los padres, mal rollo entre los hermanos, todo mal, un follón que hubo.” – Nieves (04:31)

• Richard preferred war and adventure to statesmanship:

  • “A él lo que le gustaba era guerrear. Le gustaba la aventura, le gustaba el follón, le gustaban las chicas. En realidad le gustaban más los chicos que las chicas.” – Nieves (05:18)

3. Richard’s Brief Reign and Obsessions

• He was barely in England as king; he left his mother, Eleanor, as regent, and spent most resources and energy organizing and financing the Third Crusade—at much cost to the crown.

  • “Vendió posesiones reales, vendió tierras, pulió todo.” – Nieves (05:58)

• His hasty marriage (to Berenguela, arranged on the road to the Crusades) failed to produce an heir—partly logistics, partly disinterest.

4. Misadventures and Captivity

• Richard made many enemies, including his own French allies. On the way back from the Crusades, he traveled disguised through Europe but was recognized and arrested after ordering roast chicken in a tavern—a luxury dish at the time.

  • “Al señor no se le ocurrió otra cosa que pedir pollo asado. Y resulta que eso lo pedían en aquella época los ricos porque era un manjar… Lo apresó el duque Leopoldo de Austria, que le tenía ganas.” – Nieves (08:47)

• He ended up imprisoned and ransomed for an exorbitant sum (150,000 marks of silver), which his mother and wife struggled to raise, while his brother John tried to bribe for him to remain imprisoned.

5. Return and Lack of Popular Support

• After 17 months in captivity (more than he reigned), he finally returned on March 13, 1194, at 7:00 AM—to total indifference from his subjects.

  • “Cuando Ricardo fue liberado y llegó a la costa de Inglaterra aquel 13 de marzo de 1194, a las 7 de la mañana, allí no había nadie para recibir a todo un rey de Inglaterra.” – Nieves (12:53)

• The romantic myth of a people yearning for his return is pure invention.

  • “A los súbditos les daba igual Juan que Ricardo o Pepe que Luis. Además, si es que Ricardo no lo conocían, si se largó de cruzadas casi recién coronado.” – Nieves (13:41)

• The only reason for excessive taxation and confiscation during his absence was to pay his ransom, further increasing popular discontent.

6. Robin Hood and the Birth of Legend

• The return of Richard and the villainy of his brother John gave rise to later legends, especially those of Robin Hood (entirely fictional), who was cast as Richard’s loyalist in opposition to John’s misrule—narratives fueled by 14th-century ballads and, later, by cinema.

  • “Ese mito del buen rey desaparecido... dio lugar a distintas leyendas... sobre el bandido Robin Hood, Robin de los Bosques.” – Nieves (12:56)

• After a quick reconciliation (arranged by their mother), Richard died soon after, John became John I, and Hollywood completed the legend.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On “Legend vs. Reality”

  • “Como rey fue bastante birria y como cruzado, birria y media.” – Nieves (01:27)

• On the pop-culture image of Richard and Robin Hood

  • “Habrá alguien que crea que incluso es un rey que sólo es del cine, que no existió, porque como siempre sale relacionado con Robin Hood…” – Nieves (01:27)

• On the scene of Richard’s solitary return

  • “A las siete de la mañana nadie esperaba a Ricardo porque todo el mundo lo daba por muerto o pasaban de él.” – Nieves (12:56)

• On the reality for the English people

  • “Si los súbditos estaban fritos en Inglaterra es porque se subieron los impuestos y se confiscaba todo el oro y la plata que se podía en las iglesias y a quien se descuidara. También para reunir el rescate que pedía el emperador alemán para liberar al pollino.” – Nieves (14:15)

• Running Joke:

  • The exactness of Richard’s return: “A las siete de la mañana.” – Repeated several times (02:59, 12:56, 15:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:49] – Introduction to the myth and legend of Richard the Lionheart
• [01:27] – Nieves summarizes why Richard is overrated (“cabeza de chorlito”)
• [04:17] – Family drama and the real Richard’s character
• [05:58] – Financing the crusade and leaving England
• [08:47] – Richard’s capture: the roast chicken story
• [10:18] – John’s betrayal and the ransom subplot
• [11:57] – Richard’s 17-month absence and the resulting myth
• [12:56] – Richard’s unnoticed return ("a las siete de la mañana")
• [13:41] – The actual indifference of Richard’s subjects
• [14:15] – The “Robin Hood” myth and how cinema shaped it
• [15:25] – Reference to the recurring cinematic motif of Richard’s triumphant return

Tone and Language

Nieves maintains her signature satirical, demythologizing tone—using colloquialisms and humor ("cabeza de chorlito," "el pollino") to strip away romanticized images and reveal the grittier, less glamorous historical truths. The episode blends historical fact with playful debunking, making complex history accessible and entertaining.

In summary:
The episode is a provocative takedown of the myths around Richard the Lionheart, revealing a reckless monarch remembered not for his rule, but for the stories (and movies) others told about him—stories in which the real English people hardly cared about his absence or return. The legend, Nieves shows, is often far more vivid than the man.