Henry IV, on the other hand, was a pragmatic and forceful leader. His seizure of the throne marked a clear break from the idea of kingship as a divine appointment. He claimed to rule by the will of the people and Parliament—a notion that would shape English constitutional development in the centuries to come. However, Henry’s reign was far f

Henry Bolingbroke, the son of John of Gaunt and cousin to Richard, was a capable soldier and politically astute nobleman. In 1398, after a dispute with Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, Richard exiled both men—Henry for ten years, Mowbray for life. When John of Gaunt died in 1399, Richard seized his estates instead of allowing them to pass to Henr

The dramatic fall of Richard II and the rise of Henry IV mark one of the most pivotal and turbulent episodes in English medieval history. This confrontation between a reigning king and his ambitious cousin not only led to a change in dynasty but also triggered a century of instability that would ultimately culminate in the Wars of the Roses. The st

Today, Peterborough Cathedral remains an active place of worship, as well as a center of pilgrimage, culture, and history. It attracts visitors from around the world, who come to admire its breathtaking architecture, to learn about its storied past, and to witness the continuing role it plays in the life of the Church of England. In recent years