1.1 - The crisis of 1399: reasons for Bolingbroke's seizure of the crown from Richard II and 1.2 - Henry IV and the problems arising from his behaviour in 1399: the first stirrings of revolt and the death of Richard in 1400

What were issues with Richard II's ruling?

- Governing done by others, such as his uncles John of Gaunt and Thomas of Woodstock.

- Taxation high to fund unsuccessful military campaigns in France and Scotland.

- Between 1377-1381, numerous raids on the south coast by France, growing public hostility to councillors.

What were the short-term causes of the Peasant's Revolt?

- Poll tax
- Anger at local and national leaders such as John of Gaunt, who was deemed responsible for the imposition of the poll tax and the military failures against France.

What happened during the Peasant's Revolt and how was it resolved?

- Peasants Revolt began in Essex and spread to London.

- Led by Wat Tyler, they converged on London and attacked the Houses of Richard's advisors, John of Gaunt, his uncle, and Simon Sudbury, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

- Richard met Wat Tyler to resolve the dispute and here, Richard's ally got into an argument with Tyler, killing Tyler.

- Peasants sought to fight back but Richard, in an act of bravery, charged into the crowd of thousands reminding them he was their king and leader whilst offering freedom of charters and pardons for their involvement.

What were the consequences of the Peasants' Revolt?

Untrustworthiness - In a fortnight later, Richard revoked his initial promise of charter of freedoms, pardons, and killed key rebels too.

Absolute obedience - Proved to himself what he was taught from a young age, that he was God's authority. Perhaps fuelling his desire for absolute obedience.

Bravery - Demonstrated his coming of age and bravery.

Who did Richard II first marry?

Anne of Bohemia, the sister of Wenceslas, the Holy Roman Emperor-elect and king of Bohemia.

When did Richard marry Anne of Bohemia?

In January 1382

What were the failings of Richard's marriage to Anne of Bohemia?

- No dowry

- Loan of 80,000 florins provided to Wenceslas.

- No military alliance formed.

How was Richard over-generous to friends?

- In 1383, Michael de la Pole made chancellor and in 1985, made Earl of Suffolk.

- Robert de Vere given the new title of 'marquess' and, in 1386, he was made Duke of Ireland. This made him equal to Richard's uncles.

What were the consequences of Richard's over-generosity?

- Overlooked and alienated senior nobles like Thomas of Woodstock.

- Spending was unsustainable and led to royal debt. Angered parliament because they were already passing high levels of taxation to support war against France.

Why was Richard accused of being pro-French?

- Before he became king in 1377, he was known as 'Richard of Bordeaux' and grew up in France.

- De la Pole advocated negotiating for peace with France. This made Richard seem weak.

Why was Richard not viewed as a military king?

- Did not lead many military expeditions.

- In 1385, in his first military campaign, led against Scotland, Richard II refused to fight beyond Edinburgh, angering John of Gaunt.

When did Richard II become king?

In July 1377

When was the Peasant's Revolt?

1381

What were the long-term causes of the Peasant's Revolt?

Resentment of workers towards the ruling classes. Despite, the Black Death leading to a labour shortage, parliament, in 1350, passed the Statute of Labourers causing wages to be restricted to pre-Black Death levels.

Why did Richard fall out with John of Gaunt?

- King's refusal to fight beyond Edinburgh led to a quarrel, reinforcing his belief he was being alienated from Richard and de Vere.

This led to John of Gaunt, in 1386, leaving to pursue his claims towards the Castilian throne.

John of Gaunt was the most experienced politician and warrior and most senior noble, leaving a breach in safety.

When was the 'Wonderful Parliament'?

1386

Why did parliament want to impeach Michael de la Pole?

Parliament wanted to impeach Michael de la Pole due to his foreign policy failures against France and the over-generosity he received from Richard II.

What was Richard's II response to the request to impeach de la Pole?

Richard refused to even attend parliament to discuss the matter, leading to a meeting between him and leading noblemen at Eltham.

What happened at Eltham?

Noblemen, including his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, threatened to dissolve parliament within 40 days if Richard didn't attend parliament, preventing taxation from being collected to protect against the French threat.

Richard, foolishly and controversially, threatened to get the French to help him deal with his disobedient subjects.

In return, Thomas of Woodstock and Thomas Arundel reminded the king of the cautionary fate of Richard II's grandfather, Edward II, who was deposed of his crown.

Richard submitted, agreeing to go to Parliament and witnessed de la Pole get impeached.

What were the consequences of the 'Wonderful Parliament'

- De la Pole impeached.
- A commission appointed to control the Exchequer and the Great and Privy seals.

What was Richard's response to the 'Wonderful Parliament'?

- Angry at this attack on his royal prerogative, he moved around the country; on one hand, to avoid the commission into his finances and on the other hand, to raise troops to help defend himself and his favourites.

- De Vere made Justice of Chester.

- Sought legal advice to punish those who attacked him as committing treason.

Who were the Lords Appellants?

5 men: Thomas Woodstock, Henry Bolingbroke, Earl of Arundel, Earl of Warwick and Thomas Mowbray.

What did the Lord appellants appeal for?

Appealed for five of Richard's favourites, including de la Pole and de Vere, to be tried for treason.

When was the The Battle of Radcot Bridge?

December 1387

What took place at the Battle of Radcot Bridge?

Richard's forces from Chester, led by de Vere, intercepted by Lords Appellants' forces.

Battle fought and won by the Lords Appellants.

De Vere and de la Pole fled to France.

When was the 'Merciless Parliament'?

1388

What happened during the Merciless Parliament?

De la Pole and de Vere sentenced to death in their absence.

Simon Burley, Richard's tutor, immediately executed.

These factors led to Richard disliking and distrusting Henry Bolingbroke for his involvement.

When did John of Gaunt return to England?

1389

What were the consequences of John of Gaunt's return?

Richard welcomed his arrival and used his advice, helping create political stability.

Gaunt gave his son money so he could go on pilgrimage and tournament, boosting his reputation to that of an international warrior.

When did Anne of Bohemia die?

1394

What were the problems of the royal succession of Richard II?

- Failed to produce an heir with Anne of Bohemia.

- Following her death, he seemed unwilling to marry. E.g. ordered the palace in which she died should be burnt.

- Married Isabella of France, who was only 7 years old. A further 6 years for the marriage to be consummated.

Who was Isabella of France?

The 7 year old daughter of French King Charles VI.

Why did Richard marry Isabella of France?

- Isabella's young age meant he wouldn't have to engage in a physical relationship.

- Richard's pro-France outlook meant by marrying her he could negotiate a truce.

- A truce meant he wouldn't have to consult parliament, an institution he vehemently disliked, to raise taxation for war against France.

Why was Richard's marriage to Isabella controversial?

- Only 7 years old, would take 6 years to consummate marriage.

- Reinforced Richard's pro-French leanings which were deemed unpatriotic by the court.

How long was the truce agreed to between Richard II and Charles VI.

28 years

When did Richard punish 3 of the 5 lord appellants?

In July 1397

Which of the 3 lord appellants did Richard punish?

Arundel, Warwick and Gloucester were arrested and put on trial for treason in September 1397.

What did Richard do to each of the 3 lord appellants?

Gloucester, who had been critical of the marriage to Anne and the treaty with France, died at Calais, probably murdered.

Warwick was imprisoned.

Arundel was executed.

What did Gaunt and Bolingbroke do during the trials?

Gaunt acted as a judge and Bolingbroke gave evidence against Arundel.

How many of Richard's army were outside of parliament?

700 archers from Cheshire, 300 of whom were his bodyguards.

What was evidence of Bolingbroke being afraid of Richard?

In 1397, begged pardon for his role in the Merciless and Wonderful parliaments and also secured a promise his Lancastrian territories.

Also hosted lavish entertainment for Richard, at his own expense.

Why was Bolingbroke and Mowbray exiled, and how long for?

Mowbray and Bolingbroke got into a quarrel and were meant to have a duel. Instead, Richard exiled Bolingbroke for 10 years and Mowbray for life.

What were the initial terms of Henry's exile?

- Only 10 years, not life.
- No limit on countries he could travel to.
- 1000 marks for his costs.
- Letters permitting him to obtain inheritance if gained.

When did John of Gaunt die?

3 February 1399

What did Richard do 2 days after Gaunt died?

Disinherited Henry of his titles, giving him serious motivation to make a military challenge

Who did Henry form an alliance with?

The Duke of Orleans, Louis.
By May 1399.

Why was Richard not concerned with Henry?

The truce with France meant there couldn't be any French support on an attack of the realm.

When did Richard go to Ireland and why?

In late may 1399, to suppress an ongoing rebellion.

Why was Orleans able to gain influence over his brother Charles VI?

Charles VI, the king of France, was mentally unstable, allowing Orleans to influence him and permit Henry the freedom to invade England.

When did Henry land in England?

In early July 1399, Henry landed in the Humber Estuary.

Who supported Henry upon his arrival?

His Lancashire retainers, the earls of Northumberland and Westmorland, his lifelong friend, Archbishop Arundel and the Dyke of York.

Why was the support of the Duke of York controversial?

Why did Duke of York support Henry?

He was Richard's cousin and the Protector of the Realm in the king's absence which meant he should have defended Richard's title.

Bulk of Richard's military support was in Ireland, meaning he couldn't defend himself.

When did Richard hear of the invasion of England whilst in Ireland?

10 July 1399

When did Richard return to England?

23 July 1399

Why did it take so long for Richard to return?

- He may have been deliberately advised by a disloyal earl of Albemarle, who may have wanted for Henry to have the throne.

- He may have struggled assembling his army

What were the impacts of Richard's delay

Richard's army began to desert as they heard of Bolingbroke's growing popularity and York's defection.

Henry was able to strengthen himself by seizing the King's treasure at Holt Castle in Wales.

What did the Earl of Northumberland and Richard negotiate?

Earl of Northumberland, acting on Henry's behalf, met Richard and negotiated they would meet at Flint Castle.

When did Richard and Henry meet at Flint?

On 16th August and Henry imprisoned Richard.

When were writs for a parliament issued?

On 19th August, Richard summoned for a parliament to be assembled on 30 September 1399.

How many accusations against Richard were read out at Henry IV's first parliament?

39

Name some of the important accusations.

- Imposition of weighty and unnecessary taxes, not for the common good, but for his own advantage.

- Ignoring the advice of the council

- Seizing land from his subjects without good reason and imprisoning them without a fair trial.

- He was so changeable nobody could trust him.

What did the deposition of Richard signify?

A king could be removed for being unpopular and incompetent.

A king could be ousted by an 'over-mighty subject' since Henry was only Richard's cousin, not his son, like the deposition of Edward II in 1327.

How did Henry justify him becoming king?

Stated he descended from Henry III.

Stated he became king through the 'help of my kin and friends' showing he had military support.

Who had a stronger claim to the throne and why?

Edmund Mortimer because he descended from the second son of King Edward III, Lionel of Antwerp, whereas Henry's claim descended from the third son of King Edward III, his father John of Gaunt.

Why was Edmund not king instead of Henry?

Only 8 years old which meant they'd prefer Henry who was a proven warrior.

Why was the Mortimer family a threat to Henry?

Edmund could be used as a figurehead for rebellions

Mortimer family was on of the most powerful marcher families and had support from Wales due to them descending from a 13th century Welsh Prince.

In the 15th century, Wales was a hotbed of insurrection against England.

How did Henry reduce the threat of Edmund?

Made him and his brother his Wards so they lived with him at Windsor castle, allowing him to keep an eye on them.

When was Henry crowned?

13 October 1399.

What title did Henry grant to his son and why?

Henry granted his eldest son the title of Prince of Wales to secure the succession.

What did Henry mean by 'living on his own'?

Due to his extensive private landholdings, he wouldn't, unlike Richard, request taxation for unnecessary reasons and would only do so during war.

What did Henry do the policies of the 1397-98 parliament?

He revoked them and restored those of the 1386 Wonderful Parliament.

What did Henry do to Richard's supporters?

Henry sought conciliation with Richard's former supporters, showing them clemency as long as they supported the new regime.

When was the Epiphany Uprising?

January 1400

Who took part during the Epiphany Uprising?

Diehard Ricardians like the earls of Huntingdon, Kent, Salisbury and Sir Thomas Despenser.

What happened during the Epiphany uprising?

Plotted to murder Henry and his son at the traditional Christmas revelry at Windsor, using court entertainment as a cover for their activities.

What happened to Henry and the rebels?

Henry was forewarned and escaped with his family to London.

For the rebels, they were killed by the locals.

When die Richard die?

In February 1400, putting an end to any possible rebellions in his name.

What are some causes for Richard's death?

Committed suicide by refusing food and drink

Murdered on Henry's orders

What happened to the body of Richard?

Brought to London with the face displayed to prevent any rumours of a substitution. He was then buried in Westminster Abbey, not in the tomb he designed for himself.