Who is Richard the Lionheart from the novel, The King at the Edge of the World?

Ismail's reference to Richard the Lionheart (England's King Richard I) is a symbol of the historical conflict between Muslims and Christians in Europe. Richard led the English on the Third Crusade, an attempt to wrest control of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas from the Muslim Ayyubid dynasty in the late 12th century. Ezzedine assures Ismail that "the Crusaders were defeated long ago," to which Ismail responds, "But his people may still be like him. And want to hurt you" (6). Ismail is right to be concerned, as the English do evince an attitude of mistrust and derision toward Ezzedine and his Muslim entourage.