Tyrant and Usurper: Richard II vs. Henry IV

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 story of Richard II and Henry IV is a saga of power, pride, betrayal, and the question of legitimacy—a cautionary tale of what happens when kingship loses the support of the nobility and divine right clashes with political necessity.

Richard II: A King Made Too Soon

Born in 1367, Richard of Bordeaux was the son of Edward the Black Prince and grandson of Edward III. He ascended to the English throne in 1377 at the tender age of ten, following his grandfather’s death. The early years of his reign were managed by a regency council, with significant influence wielded by his uncles, particularly John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.

Despite moments of promise—such as Richard's courageous confrontation with the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381—his reign was marred by political missteps, an overreliance on favorites, and an inability to manage the powerful nobility. Richard believed in the divine authority of kingship, embracing the notion that a monarch ruled by God's will and should not be challenged. This absolutist view alienated the aristocracy, who feared that the king’s authoritarian tendencies threatened the traditional balance of power.

The Merciless Parliament and the Lords Appellant

Richard’s heavy-handed governance and patronage of unpopular courtiers, such as Robert de Vere and Michael de la Pole, provoked backlash. In 1387, a group of powerful nobles known as the Lords Appellant—including Thomas of Woodstock (Duke of Gloucester), Richard FitzAlan (Earl of Arundel), and Henry Bolingbroke (the future Henry IV)—took control. The so-called “Merciless Parliament” of 1388 saw many of Richard's allies executed or exiled.

Although Richard regained control by 1389, he never forgave the Appellants. Over the next decade, he worked methodically to reassert his authority. By 1397, Richard took his revenge, arresting or executing the remaining Appellants. The Parliament of 1397 became a tool of royal tyranny, with Richard declaring that the laws of the land were subordinate to his will. shutdown123