5. The tyranny' of Richard II, 1397-99

Question 1

What did T.F. Tout argue about Richard’s desire for a French match?

Answer 1

selfishly motivated
The king not only wanted freedom from taxation (and therefore the
scrutiny of parliament) but more sinisterly, that Richard sought foreign armed support to subdue his
own subjects.

Question 2

What did Richard II order in July 1397?

Answer 2

Three of the Lords Appellant, the earls of Gloucester, Warwick and Arundel to be arrested and tried for treason

Question 3

We’re Bolingbroke and his father attacked?

Answer 3

No they allied themselves strongly with the king during this period. Gaunt presided over the trials in parliament and his son allegedly gave evidence against Arundel

Question 4

What was Bolingbroke made and what did this show?

Answer 4

Duke of Hereford- Richard not openly angry

Question 5

What showed Richard was becoming more tyrannical?

Answer 5

Use of a private retinue of 700 archers from Cheshire, 300 of whom formed the king’s personal bodyguard

Question 6

What were the archers used for September 1397?

Answer 6

To ensure the conviction of the lords appellant

Question 7

What happened in late 1397 when Bolingbroke became embroiled in a quarrel with his former co- appellant, Thomas Mowbray, now duke of Norfolk.

Answer 7

Although the king initially requested the disagreement be settled by combat, in 1398 Richard instead exiled both parties - Bolingoroke for ten years and Mowbray for life.

Question 8

What showed that Richard was benevolent to Henry at first?

Answer 8

He exiled him for a fixed period only, placed no limits on the countries he could travel to, gave him 1,000 marks
towards his costs and presented him with letters permitting him to obtain
any inheritance that came to him during his exile.

Question 9

When did Gaunt die?

Answer 9

3 February 1399

Question 10

What happened 2 days after Gaunt’s funeral?

Answer 10

Bolingbroke was disinherited by Richard

Question 11

What did the disinheritance lead to

Answer 11

An overwhelming motivation for Henry to make a serious military challenge.

Question 12

Why was Richard unconcerned by the threat posed by Bolingbroke?

Answer 12

This was in part because of the truce with France, which should have prohibited any French support of an attack on his realm.

Question 13

What did Richard do that proved to be disastrous for his future as king?

Answer 13

In late May 1399, the king
departed to lead an expedition to Ireland to suppress ongoing rebellion there while the political situation in France and Burgundy shifted at this crucial time

Question 14

How did the political situation in France and Burgundy shift?

Answer 14

Henry’s new ally, the duke of Orlèans, gained increasing influence over the mentally unstable French King, Charles VI.

Question 15

What did France’s political shift mean for Bolingbroke?

Answer 15

Bolingbroke was therefore permitted the freedom to arrange an invasion of England

Question 16

in early july 1399, where did Henry land?

Answer 16

in early july 1399, Henry landed in the Humber estuary

Question 17

Who was Henry supported by when he landed in the estate?

Answer 17

many of his Lancashire retainers, as well as the earls of Northumberland and Westmorland and Archbishop Arundel.

Question 18

What did York do when he learned of Henry landing in the estate?

Answer 18

Bolingbroke should have been
opposed by the duke of York who had been appointed as Protector
of the Realm in the king’s absence, but York decided instead to
support Henry, probably being significantly infuenced by the fact
that the bulk of Richard’s military support was with him in Ireland

Question 19

What was Richard’s error when he heard of the invasion?

Answer 19

heard of the invasion on around 10 July, delayed his return until around 23 July.

Question 20

Reasons for Richard’s delay in returning to England

Answer 20

Either deliberately advised not to return by a disloyal earl of Albemarle,
who may have wanted Henry to gain the throne, or if the delay was
simply the result of difficulties in assembling his army.

Question 21

Why did Richard troops start to desert as soon as they reached Wales?

Answer 21

they learned of Bolingbroke’s

growing popularity and York’s defection

Question 22

Who did Richard send to reason with Henry?

Answer 22

The duke of Exeter and the earl of Surrey

Question 23

How did Henry react to Richard’s desperate attempt to negotiate with him?

Answer 23

Arrested Exeter and Surrey

Question 24

The earl of Northumberland, acting on Henry’s behalf, met with the king
and negotiated that Richard would meet with his rebellious cousin where?

Answer 24

Flint Castle

Question 25

When did Henry and Richard meet after the invasion?

Answer 25

On around 16 August, Bolingbroke and Richard met at Flint and, from this time onwards, Richard remained a prisoner at Bolingbroke’s hands.

Question 26

What is a writ

Answer 26

A legally binding, written command from an authority, such as the
king or parliament. In this context, the writ was in effect a summons
to attend parliament.

Question 27

When were writs for a parliament issued in Richard’s name?

Answer 27

19 August

Question 28

When did this parliament assemble?

Answer 28

30 September 1399.

Question 29

What happened after parliament?

Answer 29

Richard was brought

to London and imprisoned in the Tower.