4 February 18

I'm wearing my new "play money" tie to honor today's very special event in British Royal History: In 1194, a ransom of 100,000 Austrian marks was paid for Richard I, King of England. In 1192, Richard "The Lionheart" had been on a crusade to Palestine, and was attempting to return to England incognito, when he was captured by Duke Leopold of Austria, a few days before Christmas. Negotiations for his return took more than a year. The ransom that was paid in February 1194 was valued at more than twice the gross domestic product of all of England. Esther Rae decided to accompany me for the photo!