biography
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1367–1400)
|
| biography:
| King of England (1377–99), born in Bordeaux, SW France, the younger son of Edward the Black Prince, who succeeded his grandfather, Edward III, at the age of 10. He displayed great bravery in confronting the rebels in London during the Peasants' Revolt (1381); but already parliament was concerned about his favourites, and the reign was dominated by the struggle between Richard's desire to act independently, and the magnates' concern to curb his power. He quarrelled with his uncle, John of Gaunt, and his main supporters were found guilty of treason in the ‘Merciless Parliament’ of 1388. After Richard had declared an end to his minority (1389), he built up a stronger following, and during 1397–8 took his revenge by having the Earl of Arundel executed, the Duke of Gloucester murdered, and several lords banished, the exiles including Gaunt's son, Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV). His final act of oppression was to confiscate the Lancastrian estates after Gaunt's death (1399). Having failed to restrain the king by constitutional means, the magnates resolved to unseat him from the throne. Bolingbroke invaded England unopposed, and Richard was deposed in his favour (Sep 1399). He died in Pontefract Castle, Yorkshire, possibly of starvation. |
|
|
