`Richard II and the Problems of Succession - 14/09/2021
Pg 69 - 75
● 1394 - Wife, Anne of Bohemia died in 1394; no heir to the throne
● 2 possible successors: Roger Mortimer and John of Gaunt (but Gaunt was a stronger
candidate with great wealth and military support)
● Richard II, unkeen to engage in physical relationship or father an heir and combined with
pro-French outlook regarding foreign policy meant in 1396, he agreed to marry Isabella
(daughter of French King Charles VI).
○ Controversial; Isabella only 7 so marriage unconsummated until she reached
puberty so king would not have legitimate heir for at least 7 years
○ Sign of pro-French leanings regarded as suspiciously unpatriotic by many at
court
○ Pro- peace stance increased as Richard realised that in order to fight foreign war,
would need agreement of parliament in taxation but he’s suspicious of institution
since ‘Merciless Parliament’ of 1388 so marriage accompanied by a 28 year
truce
The Tyranny of Richard II 1397-1399
● Evidence to support opinion that Richard sought foreign armed support to subdue his
own subjects:
○ 1386 Crisis, king threatened to request French assistance against those who
rebelled against him
○ 1394-1396: Richard specifically ordered ambassadors to ensure a promise of
French assistance against his own subjects should they rebel against him
● July 1397: ordered ⅗ of lords appellant: Earls of Gloucester, Warwick and Arundel to be
arrested and tried for treason. Most contemporary English chroniclers regarded this as
revenge for Radcot Bridge
○ Bolingbroke and father not attacked; allied themselves firmly with king during
trials in parliament
○ Gaunt presided over trials in parliament whilst Bolingbroke allegedly gave
evidence against Arundel (executed).
○ Gloucester died in Calais (probably murdered) and Warwick imprisoned
○ Bolingbroke made duke of Hereford
○ According to chroniclers, Adam Usk and Monk of Evesham, Richard used a
private retinue of 700 archers from Cheshire, 300 of them formed king’s personal
bodyguard - surrounded parliament in September 1397 to ensure conviction of
the lords appellant
● Bolingbroke more afraid of the king, begged pardon for his role in events of 1387 and
secured a promise from the king that he would not seize Lancastrian territories.
○ Also hosted lavish entertainments for Richard
○ BUT in 1397, Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbry quarrelled; king initially
requested settling this by combat but 1398: exiled both- Bolingbroke for 10 yrs
and Mowbry for life
● Initially benevolent to Bolingbroke (no limits on countries he could travel to, gave 1000
marks toward cots and presented letters permitting him to obtain any inheritance in exile)
, ○ John of Gaunt died 3 Feb 1399, 2 days after funeral, Bolingbroke disinherited
○ By May, Bolingbroke made formal alliance with Louis, duke of Orleans and
French king’s brother, both agreed to support each other militarily
○ Richard unconcerned by this due to truce with France so in late May 1399, king
departed to lead expedition to Ireland to suppress ongoing rebellion there. Did
not know that political situation in France and Burgundy shifted with Henry’s new
ally gaining more influence over mentally unstable French king, Charles VI
○ Bolingbroke permitted freedom to arrange invasion of England as Orleans
assisted
● July 1399, Henry landed in Humber estuary (east Yorkshire), supported by many
Lancashire retained and earls of Northumberland and Westmorland and lifelong friend,
Archbishop of Arundel. Has support of duke of York too as bulk of Richard’s military
support was in Ireland
○ Richard only returned 23rd July, not on 10th July when he heard about this
(unclear whether deliberately advised this by disloyal earl of Albemarle or due to
difficulties in assembling army)
○ When he reached Wales, Richard’s troops deserted due to Bolingbroke’s growing
popularity and York’s defection. Henry strengthened own position by seizing
king’s treasure stored at Holt Castle in Wales
○ Richard sent Duke of Exeter and Earl of Surrey to reason with Henry but they
were arrested. Earl of Northumberland eventually acted on Henry’s behalf, met
with king and negotiated that he would meet Henry at Flint Castle
○ 16th August 1399: Bolingbroke and Richard met at Flint Castle and onwards,
Richard remained prisoner
○ 19th August 1399: writs for parliament issued in Richard’s name and they
assembled on 30th September 1399
○ Richard brought to London and imprisoned in Tower
,PG 76-78 AND 79-80 - 20/9/2021
Henry IV and Problems Arising from His Behaviour
● In his first parliament as Henry IV, claimed that Richard voluntarily resigned the throne
when a delegation of nobles had approached him and explained he could not rule due to
his “incapacity and insufficiency” to be king
○ Gave up throne willingly admitting this, “I deserve to be deposed from them” and
expressed hope that Henry should become the next king, placed own gold ring
on him
● Chronicler Adam of Usk is an important source of info about new regime; was an
academic and lawyer (probably a membership a member of Archbishop of Arundel’s
entourage until Arundel went into exile with Bolingbroke in 1398)
○ Supported Lancastrian side; accounted that committee justified the deposition on
grounds of Richard’s immoral rule
● 39 accusations against Richard were read out at Henry IV’s first parliament, provided
comprehensive attack on gov during the reign including:
○ Imposition of weighty and unnecessary taxes used for Richard’s personal
advantage
○ Treatment of lords appellant and actions in 1397
○ Violent behaviour of Richard’s Cheshire retinue, king did nothing to restrain
○ Unjust and unmerciful treatment of Henry, duke of Lancaster, (in exile)
○ Royal intervention in selection of local officers (like sheriffs and representatives)
changing traditional oaths of such officers to make them more personally
accountable to king
○ Failing to pay back loans
○ Infringements on rights of church like financial payments and interfering in cases
in the ecclesiastical
○ Richard claimed he personally made the law
○ Using false accusations of treason as a method of raising money
○ Ignoring advice of the council and maintaining arrogant attitude when nobles
advised him so “they did not dare to speak the truth in giving their advice on the
welfare of the king and kingdom”
○ Removing crown jewels from England and taking them to Ireland on campaign
○ Sizzling lan from subject without good reason, imprisoning without fair trial
● Perhaps best reason for Richard’s downfall was view that he was so changeable that no
one could trust him
● Bolinbgroke had shadow over reign was that he was only Richard’s cousin, (no heir) but
clear to all nobles that unpopular king can be ousted by an ‘over-mighty’ subject with
sufficient military support
Justifications for Bolingbroke to be King
● In first parliament as king, stated that “I am descended by right line of the blood from the
good lord King Henry the third through that right that God in his grace has sent me, with
the help of my kin and of my friends in recovering it; which realm was ar the point of ruin
for lack of governance and destruction of the good laws”
○ Reference to royal lineage
, ● Edmund Mortimer also in line but claim through female line = threat to Henry but less
threat as in 1399, only 8 years old so many supported Henry as he was an adult male,
proven warrior and had substantial retinue
● Risk as Mortimer family supported by Welsh as descended from Llywelyn ab Iorwerth
(13th century prince of Gwynedd); Henry made both Edmund and bro, Roger royal
wards and ensured they mainly lived at Windsor Castle
○ 1402 - moved to Berkhamsted Castle and placed under supervision of loyal Sir
Hugh Waterton
The First Stirrings of Revolt and the Death of Richard
● Crowned on 13th October ensuring his eldest son was invested as the Prince of Wales
to secure the succession
● Broke away from unpopular policies by revking decisions taken by 1397-1398 parliament
and restored those of 1386
● Promised that owing to his extensive private landholdings, he would be able to ‘live on
his own’ and only request taxation in times of war = more support
● Sought conciliation with Richard II’s supporters showing them clemency provided they
showed a willingness to support the new regime
● BUT not universally welcomed; January 1400 Epiphany Rising = number of Richardians
(earls of Huntingdon, Kent and Salisbury and Sir Thomas Dispenser) planned
conspiracy to murder Henry and sons during traditional Christmas at Windsor
○ Plot failed partly as Henry forewarned and had time to escape to London with
family and plan did not gain support
● Leaders of 1400 rebellion died but actions sealed fate of Richard who was imprisoned in
Pontefract Castle on Henry’s Lancastrian estates
○ Richard died 1400 February - unclear why claimed he committed suicide by
refusing food or drink (maybe murdered though)
○ Body brought to London with face displayed to prevent rumours of substitution
and buried honourably but not in tomb he designed himself
