Richard the Lionheart: The Largest Ransom Ever Paid

Richard I of England, known as Richard the Lionheart, was captured in 1192 and released after a ransom of 150,000 silver marks, approximately 33 metric tons of silver, was paid.

The ransom was equivalent to 3-4 times the annual revenue of the English Crown. Today, the value of the silver is estimated at around $38 million, while the economic impact would be in the billions.

Richard participated in the Third Crusade, conquered Cyprus, and fought in Acre and Arsuf. After his release, he returned to England and later died in 1199 in France.