09/01/2021 Richard II -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

Richard II
Tyranny and fall

The exalted notions that Richard articulated in Ireland formed the background for his dramatic
reassertion of royal authority two years later in England. In July 1397 Richard ordered the
arrest of the senior Appellants—Gloucester, Arundel, and Warwick. The first two were
imprisoned and executed, and the last exiled to the Isle of Man. In letters that he sent to
foreign rulers shortly afterward, Richard justified his actions in terms of his political beliefs.
He said that the lords’ earlier rebellion and disobedience called for “an avenging punishment”
that would “thresh the traitors out even to the husk,” and that the destruction and ruin of their
persons would bring to his subjects a “peace” that would last forever. By peace, Richard meant
not only the absence of war but also “unity,” the foundation of a strong realm.

But Richard’s peace was illusory. In reality, his entourage was riddled with factions and feuds.
In January 1398 a quarrel broke out between Henry Bolingbroke, Lancaster’s son, and the
king’s former ally, Thomas Mowbray (duke of Norfolk and earl of Nottingham). Mowbray
apparently warned Bolingbroke of a plot by some of the king’s intimates to destroy the
Lancastrian inheritance. Bolingbroke reported the conversation to the king, who ordered that
the conflict created by this betrayal of confidence be settled by a trial by combat. A day was
set for the adversaries to meet, but at the last moment Richard, fearful of Bolingbroke’s
possible victory, cancelled the engagement and gave judgment himself. Bolingbroke was
sentenced to exile for 10 years, and Mowbray for life.

In February 1399 Lancaster died, and Richard took possession of his inheritance. Three
months later, his coffers replenished with Lancastrian gold, Richard set off again for Ireland;
the settlement of 1395 was in danger of unraveling, and his personal attention was required.
While he was away, his cousin Bolingbroke returned from exile. Landing in Yorkshire, the
duke met the earl of Northumberland and quickly won his support. Then he began a
triumphant march across central and western England. Richard was slow to return from
Ireland. By the time he reached Wales in mid-July, popular support for him had melted away,

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and in the meantime York, “the keeper of the realm,” had ceased resistance. Around August 15
Richard surrendered to Northumberland at Conway. Northumberland took him under guard to
Bolingbroke at Flint; from there he was taken to Chester and later to London.

In September Bolingbroke summoned a Parliament in his adversary’s name, and a committee

was appointed to draft articles of deposition. On September 29, after a series of meetings in
the Tower of London, Richard was induced to lay aside his crown. On the following day the
king’s statement of abdication was read in Parliament and approved. The assembly also
assented to the articles of deposition, because abdication alone, as an act that could be
rescinded, was insufficient. When the proceedings were concluded, Richard was taken from
the Tower to Leeds and later to Pontefract. In January 1400 a group of his former courtiers, led
by the earl of Salisbury, plotted to restore him to the throne. Their rebellion was crushed, but it
convinced Bolingbroke, by now Henry IV, that he could no longer allow Richard to live.
Sometime in February the former king was put to death; by what means is not known. After a
requiem mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the body was obscurely interred at King’s Langley,
England. Early in Henry V’s reign Richard was given honourable burial in the tomb that he
had made for himself in Westminster Abbey.

Richard II surrendering the crown

Richard II surrendering the crown, from an
illustration in the 14th-century Chronicles by
Jean Froissart.
© Photos.com/Jupiterimages

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Citation Information
Article Title: Richard II
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 02 January 2021
URL: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Richard-II-king-of-England
Access Date: January 09, 2021

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