Richard II of England dies, most probably from starvation, in Pontefract Castle, on the orders of Henry Bolingbroke.

Richard II, born on 6 January 1367 in Bordeaux, a significant English possession in the Duchy of Aquitaine (modern-day France), is often referred to as Richard of Bordeaux. He reigned as King of England from 1377 until his deposition in 1399. Richard was the sole surviving son of Edward, Prince of Wales – universally known to history as the Black Prince, a celebrated and formidable military commander – and Joan, Countess of Kent, an influential figure in the English court. Tragically, Richard’s distinguished father passed away prematurely in 1376, elevating young Richard to the position of heir apparent to his grandfather, King Edward III. Upon Edward III's death the following year, the mere ten-year-old Richard succeeded to the English throne, inheriting a kingdom grappling with the complexities of the ongoing Hundred Years' War and the inherent challenges of a child monarch.

Richard II's Early Reign and Major Challenges

During Richard's formative years as king, England was governed by a series of regency councils. These councils were largely under the considerable influence of his powerful uncles, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester. England at this time faced a multitude of challenges, most notably the protracted and financially draining Hundred Years' War against France, which placed immense pressure on royal finances and national resources.

The Pivotal Peasants' Revolt of 1381

A defining moment and major test of Richard's early reign was the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. This massive popular uprising, sparked by heavy poll taxes and widespread social grievances among the common people, saw the young king, just 14 years old, play a remarkably central and courageous role in its successful suppression. He personally confronted the rebel leader Wat Tyler at Smithfield and, through a combination of charisma and strategic promises of reform, effectively de-escalated a volatile situation, asserting royal authority in a moment of extreme national crisis. This decisive action showcased an early glimpse of his strong will and belief in royal prerogative.

Royal Prerogative and Cultural Court

Unlike his more militarily inclined father and grandfather, Richard harbored a strong desire to bring a definitive end to the Hundred Years' War, often seeking diplomatic solutions and peace over continuous conflict. He was a staunch believer in the royal prerogative, advocating for the inherent, often supreme, rights and powers of the monarch, which frequently put him at odds with the entrenched aristocracy. Consequently, he sought to restrain the traditional power of the magnates and instead relied increasingly on a private retinue—a personal military force composed of loyal knights and retainers—for protection and enforcement of his will, rather than the feudal levies of the nobility.

In a striking departure from his predecessors, particularly his grandfather Edward III, Richard cultivated a highly refined and sophisticated atmosphere at court. This environment, centered on art, culture, and elaborate chivalric ceremony, was designed to elevate the king as a majestic and almost divine figure, distinct from his nobles, thereby enhancing the mystique and authority of the monarchy itself.

Conflict with the Lords Appellant and Richard's Downfall

Richard’s increasing dependence on a select, small circle of loyal courtiers, often perceived as 'favourites' who he generously rewarded, created significant discontent among the more traditional and influential aristocracy. This simmering resentment culminated in 1387 when control of the government was effectively seized by a powerful faction of aristocrats known as the Lords Appellant. Key figures among them included Richard’s uncle Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, the Earl of Arundel, and the Earl of Warwick. They sought to curb the king’s perceived autocratic power and remove his 'evil counsellors', demonstrating a significant challenge to the royal prerogative he so fiercely defended. By 1389, however, Richard, displaying shrewd political acumen, managed to regain full control of his government. For the subsequent eight years, he largely governed in a period of relative harmony with many of his former opponents, seemingly having learned from the earlier confrontations.

The Period of "Tyranny" and Henry Bolingbroke's Invasion

This period of apparent reconciliation was shattered in 1397 when Richard, driven by a deep-seated desire for retribution, exacted a brutal revenge on the Lords Appellant and their supporters. Many of them were executed, imprisoned, or exiled, effectively dismantling the opposition that had once challenged his authority. The following two years, from 1397 to 1399, are widely characterized by historians as Richard's "tyranny" or "absolutist rule." During this time, he systematically undermined the rule of law, used arbitrary arrests and confiscations, and levied heavy taxes without parliamentary consent, consolidating power in a manner deemed unconstitutional and despotic by his contemporaries.

The final catalyst for his downfall occurred in 1399, following the death of his powerful uncle, John of Gaunt. In a controversial and politically disastrous move, Richard promptly disinherited Gaunt's son, Henry Bolingbroke, who had previously been exiled due to a quarrel with Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk. Bolingbroke, now deprived of his vast inheritance and legitimate rights as Duke of Lancaster, seized the opportunity. He invaded England in June 1399 with a relatively small but highly motivated force, which quickly swelled with support from disillusioned nobles and commoners alike. Meeting minimal resistance across the kingdom, Henry successfully deposed Richard II and had himself crowned King Henry IV. Richard II was subsequently imprisoned and is widely believed to have been starved to death in captivity, likely at Pontefract Castle, around 14 February 1400, though lingering questions and alternative theories regarding his exact final fate persist to this day, adding a layer of mystery to his tragic end.

Richard II's Posthumous Reputation and Historical Reassessment

Richard II’s historical and posthumous reputation has been profoundly shaped, perhaps more than any other English monarch, by the dramatic genius of William Shakespeare. His influential play, Richard II, first performed around 1595, portrayed the king's perceived misrule and his subsequent deposition not merely as a personal tragedy, but as the foundational cause of the destructive 15th-century dynastic conflicts known as the Wars of the Roses. This artistic interpretation, while powerful, held sway for centuries, significantly influencing public perception.

However, modern historians generally do not accept Shakespeare’s interpretation as wholly accurate in its causality, though they certainly do not exonerate Richard from responsibility for his own deposition. While earlier historians in the 19th and early 20th centuries often characterized Richard as clinically insane, contemporary scholarship has largely moved away from this simplistic diagnosis. Instead, many modern authorities suggest he may have exhibited traits consistent with a personality disorder, particularly manifesting in impulsive behavior, paranoia, and an exaggerated sense of his own authority towards the latter part of his reign. Most historical authorities now agree that Richard's policies themselves were not entirely unrealistic or even unprecedented in the context of late medieval monarchy; for instance, his attempts to increase royal power and move towards a more centralized administration mirrored trends seen in other European monarchies. However, it was the specific manner in which he pursued and executed these policies—his perceived autocratic style, his contempt for traditional aristocratic counsel, his arbitrary use of power, and his ruthless revenge on perceived enemies—that proved unacceptable to the political establishment of his time. This fundamental clash of governing styles and expectations, rather than his policies in isolation, ultimately led to his downfall and deposition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Richard II

When was Richard II King of England?
Richard II reigned as King of England from 1377 until his deposition in 1399, a period spanning 22 years.
Who was Richard of Bordeaux?
Richard of Bordeaux is another name for King Richard II, derived from his birthplace in Bordeaux, then an English territory in the Duchy of Aquitaine.
What was the Peasants' Revolt and Richard II's role?
The Peasants' Revolt was a major uprising in 1381, fueled by heavy taxes and social unrest. The 14-year-old King Richard II played a crucial, courageous role in its suppression by personally confronting the rebels and making promises of reform, which helped to de-escalate the crisis.
Why was Richard II deposed?
Richard II was deposed primarily due to his increasingly autocratic rule, his reliance on a select few courtiers, his ruthless revenge on the Lords Appellant, and his controversial disinheritance of Henry Bolingbroke, which alienated much of the nobility and political establishment.
How did Richard II die?
Richard II is widely believed to have been starved to death in captivity, likely at Pontefract Castle, around 14 February 1400, following his deposition. However, the exact circumstances of his death remain a subject of some historical debate.