Richard II 1377-99

• Richard II ruled England

  1377 to 1399
• Richard II


  The eighth Plantagenet King of England
• Richard II is best known for facing down the Peasants' Revolt in 1381, continuing the 100 Years' War started by his grandfather Edward III, and being overthrown by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke</b>
• Henry Bolingbroke was born in 1367


  Around 650 years ago
• When Edward III's 50-year reign finally ended, his grandson Richard II was quickly crowned before the old king died
• There were fears that John of Gaunt, another son of Edward III, would usurp the throne, so the young Richard II was made Prince of Wales
• Richard II and Henry Bolingbroke, John of Gaunt's son, were made to swear an oath that they would never take up arms against each other
• The Peasants' Revolt of 1381

  1. Peasants, inspired by radical leaders, marched on London

  2. Targeted greedy aristocrats, not the king

  3. Richard II confronted the rebels at Mile End

  4. Lord Mayor of London killed the peasant leader Wat Tyler

  5. Richard told the peasant army "I am your leader, follow me" and they dispersed
• Richard II created resentment amongst the ruling elites by favouring a small clique of nobles and lavishing gifts on them
• The charter of liberties signed to appease the peasants was torn up as soon as everything settled down, and taxes were imposed once more
• Richard II's military expedition to France ended in humiliation, and the French threatened to invade England
• In 1386, the wonderful parliament decided to help Richard II but only if he dismissed his favourites, which he refused to do
• Richard II's powers were placed in the hands of guardians, a humiliation he wouldn't forget and which would later lead to his downfall
• By the end of the 1390s, Richard II felt powerful enough to arrest and execute or exile the lords who had rebelled against him in the mid-1380s
• Richard II seized the lands of his exiled cousin Henry Bolingbroke, which shocked other landowners and led to Bolingbroke's invasion and Richard's dethronement
• Richard II was seized, put in prison, and starved to death in 1400 at the age of 33
• Richard II was initially buried at King's Langley Priory, but in 1413 his remains were moved to Westminster Abbey by Henry V