Pierre Basile is recorded as the name of the crossbow man who dealt the fatal blow to Richard I, Coeur de Lion, King of England. The arrow was shot by Pierre Basile from one of the towers of the castle of Chalus Chabrol, Chalus , Limoges, France, on March 26th, 1199. Richard had laid siege to the castle in pursuit of a claim to treasure-trove. Pierre Basile was one of only two knights defending Chalus.

Richard, who had removed some of his chainmail, was wounded in the shoulder by the crossbow bolt. Gangrene set in and Richard asked to see his killer. He ordered that he be set free and awarded him a sum of money. However as soon as Richard died on 6 April, 1199, Basile was flayed alive and then hanged.

Richard's bowels were buried at the foot of the tower from which the shot was loosed.

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