The £2 billion king’s ransom

QUESTION What is the biggest ransom ever paid?

The largest ransom was probably that paid for King Richard I of england (1157-1199).

In 1192 Richard, known as the Lionheart, was sailing home from the Crusades when a storm in the northern Adriatic forced him to abandon ship. he was captured by Leopold V, Duke of Austria, whom he had insulted, as he tried to cross europe with his retinue.

The Duke demanded a ransom of 150,000 marks (100,000 pounds of silver), and a year later it was paid. This equates to as much as £2billion today, adjusted for inflation and the price of silver.

In the modern era, the highest ransom (unadjusted for inflation) was that paid for Victor Li Tzarkuoi, son of hong Kong tycoon Li Ka Shing, held in 1996 by Cheung Tze-keung, aka Big Spender. he was freed after hK$1billion (£75 million) was paid.

The following year, Big Spender kidnapped Walter Kwok, son of Kwok Tak Seng of Sun hung Kai Properties. Kwok was found alive in a box after a ransom of hK$600 million or (£45million) was paid.

Big Spender was caught in 1998, and after a trial in China, was executed by firing squad.

Peter Smith, Durham.

QUESTION What are considered to be the worst song lyrics by a great songwriter?

FuRTheR to the earlier answer, surely the worst is from The Lion King where Simba sings ‘I just can’t wait to be king’ — which would mean the death of his father. Lyrics were by Tim Rice.

The Beatles’ Michelle: ‘Michelle ma belle/These are words that go together well’ is a contender too.

Ian Duckworth, Rochdale, Lancs.