Depth topic 1 – the Crisis of 1399 - 1405 (Richard II and Henry IV)
The reasons for Bolingbrook seizure of the throne from Richard II
Richards failings as an adult monarch
- Over generosity to those whom Richard favoured was a defining feature of his reign and a
key cause of his fall from power
o Richard promoted a number of his favourites to key positions, this was not unusual,
but Richard took it too the extreme, which led to alienation of key senior nobles
(such as his uncle Thomas of Woodstock)
o Two men particularly enjoyed his favour: William de la Pole and Robert de Vere
- The level of generosity given to his favourites was financially unattainable leading to royal
debt
The wonderful parliament of 1386 and its consequences
- De la pole was demanded by Parliament to be removed from parliament
- Richard attempted to seek help from the french to deal with the disobedient subjects but
was reminded of deposition of a king
- Richard met with parliament and was forced to watch his favourite nobles impeached
- The parliament also inquired into royal finances and later appointed a commission to control
these finances
Lord appellant
- Lord appellants was the name given to Richards opponents
o These men included, Thomas of Woodstock, Henry Bolingbroke (cousin of Richard)
- Richards supporters from Chester, led by de Vere, were intercepted by the king’s opponents
at Radcot Bridge and defeated
o De la pole and de Vere fled abroad
- This led to Richard being obliged to attend the ‘Merciless parliament in 1388 where his
favourites put on trial for treason and executed
- Bolingbroke’s involvement in this act of opposition meant that Richard subsequently
distrusted and disliked him.
Short term consequences
- Bolingbroke was given by John of Gaunt funds to travel and gained significant reputation as
a warrior
- On return, Bolingbroke took up a place at court serving in the lords and advising Richard
Richard II and problems with royal succession
- By 1394, Gaunt’s influence over Richard began to decline and Gaunt and Bolingbroke
seemed to have become concerned about the kings attitude towards their family and
inheritance.
- Richard’s wife, Anne of Bohemia, had died childless leaving the heir to the throne to be earl
of March, Roger Mortimer.
- Gaunt, however, also had a strong claim as 3 rd son of Edward III
- This led to Gaunt and Bolingbroke posing a threat to Richard’s power
- Some historians argue that after Anne’s death Richard’s mental stability declined and his
outlook towards the nobility became more suspicious and tyrannical
- Richard’s increasingly pro french outlook in regard to foreign policy was considered
extremely unpatriotic
The ‘tyranny’ of Richard II
, - The king’s unease against his subject seems to have grown into paranoia and in July 1397 he
ordered 3 of the Lords appellant to be arrested and tried for treason
- Bolingbroke and Gaunt both allied themselves firmly with the king which prevented them
from being attacked
- Bolingbroke, due to Richards increased paranoia, seemed to have become increasingly afraid
of the king and hosted lavish parties for Richard
Feud between Bolingbroke and Mowbray
- In late 1397, Bolingbroke became embroiled in a quarrel with former co appellant, Thomas
Mowbray
- The king initially requested the disagreement to be settled by combat but then in 1398 he
exiled both parties, Bolingbroke for 10 years and Mowbray for life
- Richards attitude seemed fairly benevolent. He allowed Bolingbroke to travel to all countries
and gave him 1000 marks to fund travels. He also permitted him a letter which would allow
him to obtain any inheritance that came to him during his exile.
- However, Gaunt’s death on the 3rd of February 1399, led to Bolingbroke being disinherited
from the duchy of Lancaster and other lands
- This was a breach of customs and gave Bolingbroke motivation to challenge Richard.
- By May, Bolingbroke made an alliance with Louis, Duke of Orleans and the French Kings
brother
o Both of them agreed to support him militarily
- Richard, seemed unbothered due to his truce with France which he believed would prohibit
any support from France and in may 1399 travelled to Ireland to suppress a rebellion
- Bolingbroke was permitted freedom to arrange an invasion of England, by the king of France
(incredibly mentally unstable)
Bolingbrook’s invasion
- In early June 1399, Henry landed in East Yorkshire, supported by many of his Lancashire
retainers, as well as earls of Northumberland
- Duke of York should have oppressed the invasion as he was protectorate of the realm whilst
Richard was away but did not as majority of his retinue was in Ireland
- Richard did not return home immediately after hearing of the invasion and returned on 23 rd
July
- By the time Richard had returned, his troops began to desert him
- Henry strengthen his own position by seizing the kings treasure
- Richard sent Duke of Exeter and Earl of Surrey to reason with Henry but Henry had them
arrested.
- Eventually, the earl of Northumberland, acting on Henry’s behalf, arranged a meeting
between Richard and Henry
o On the 16th August 1399, Bolingbroke and Richard met with Richard being a prisoner
of Henry’s.
o 30th September 1399, Richard was brought to London and imprisoned in the tower.
Why was Bolingbroke able to seize power in 1399
- When Henry initially invaded he claimed he was simply seeking his inheritance
- Henry was very warmly received in many areas, Duke of York, Protector of the realm,
support of a usurper is an indication of Richard’s unpopularity and growing paranoia
- Richard’s absence in Ireland was also a crucial factor, with the whole of the Cheshire retinue
in Ireland with him
Henry IV and the problems arising from his usurpation
- In his first parliament, Henry claimed that Richard had voluntarily resigned the throne when
a delegation of nobles approached him on the issue
