How did Richard I manage the royal finances and resources?

Richard I managed the royal finances and resources through heavy taxation, selling offices, and leasing royal lands.

Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart, was known for his military prowess rather than his administrative skills. However, he was able to manage the royal finances and resources in a way that allowed him to fund his military campaigns, particularly the Third Crusade. His methods were often controversial and included heavy taxation, selling offices, and leasing royal lands.

One of Richard's primary methods of raising funds was through heavy taxation. He levied taxes on his subjects, particularly the wealthy, to fund his military campaigns. This was a common practice among medieval monarchs, but Richard's taxes were particularly high. He also imposed a tax known as the "Saladin tithe", which was a tenth of all income and property, to fund the Third Crusade. This tax was deeply unpopular and led to widespread resentment among his subjects.

In addition to taxation, Richard also raised funds by selling offices. This was a practice known as "simony", and it involved selling church offices and other positions of power to the highest bidder. This not only provided Richard with a source of income, but also allowed him to maintain control over the church and other institutions by ensuring that those in power were loyal to him.

Richard also leased royal lands to raise funds. This involved granting temporary ownership of royal lands to individuals or groups in exchange for a fee. This provided Richard with a steady source of income and allowed him to maintain control over his lands while also benefiting from them financially.

Despite these methods, Richard's reign was marked by financial instability. His heavy taxation and other controversial practices led to widespread resentment among his subjects and contributed to the rebellion against him in 1193. Furthermore, his focus on military campaigns often left the kingdom in debt and reliant on foreign aid. Despite these challenges, Richard was able to maintain his rule and fund his military campaigns through his management of the royal finances and resources.