Richard I was King of England from 1175 until his death. He was also Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, and Duke of Gascony. He was known as Richard the Lionheart because of his reputation as a military leader. He is most well known as the founder of the official Angevin Empire, defeating the French king and breaking free of any vows to the French crown. He was the first Angevin Emperor.