<P> Around the middle of the 13th century, various legends developed that, after Richard's capture, his minstrel Blondel travelled Europe from castle to castle, loudly singing a song known only to the two of them (they had composed it together). Eventually, he came to the place where Richard was being held, and Richard heard the song and answered with the appropriate refrain, thus revealing where the king was incarcerated . The story was the basis of André Ernest Modeste Grétry's opera Richard Cœur - de-Lion and seems to be the inspiration for the opening to Richard Thorpe's film version of Ivanhoe . It seems unconnected to the real Jean' Blondel' de Nesle, an aristocratic trouvère . It also does not correspond to the historical reality, since the king's jailers did not hide the fact; on the contrary, they publicised it . </P> <P> At some time around the 16th century, tales of Robin Hood started to mention him as a contemporary and supporter of King Richard the Lionheart, Robin being driven to outlawry, during the misrule of Richard's evil brother John, while Richard was away at the Third Crusade . </P> <P> Richard's reputation over the years has "fluctuated wildly", according to historian John Gillingham . While contemporary sources emphasize his stern and unforgiving nature and his excessive cruelty, his image is already transformed into romance, depicting him as generous - hearted preux chevalier, a few decades after his death . </P> <P> Richard left an indelible imprint on the imagination extending to the present, in large part because of his military exploits, and his popular image tended to be dominated by the positive qualities of chivalry and military competence . This is reflected in Steven Runciman's final verdict of Richard I: "he was a bad son, a bad husband, and a bad king, but a gallant and splendid soldier" ("History of the Crusades" Vol . III). Meanwhile, Muslim writers during the Crusades period and after wrote of him: "Never have we had to face a bolder or more subtle opponent". </P>

Which king of england was known for his love of crusades