5. The tyranny' of Richard II, 1397-99 Flashcards
What did T.F. Tout argue about Richard’s desire for a French match?
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.
What did Richard II order in July 1397?
Three of the Lords Appellant, the earls of Gloucester, Warwick and Arundel to be arrested and tried for treason
We’re Bolingbroke and his father attacked?
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
What was Bolingbroke made and what did this show?
Duke of Hereford- Richard not openly angry
What showed Richard was becoming more tyrannical?
Use of a private retinue of 700 archers from Cheshire, 300 of whom formed the king’s personal bodyguard
What were the archers used for September 1397?
To ensure the conviction of the lords appellant
What happened in late 1397 when Bolingbroke became embroiled in a quarrel with his former co- appellant, Thomas Mowbray, now duke of Norfolk.
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.
What showed that Richard was benevolent to Henry at first?
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.
When did Gaunt die?
3 February 1399
What happened 2 days after Gaunt’s funeral?
Bolingbroke was disinherited by Richard
What did the disinheritance lead to
An overwhelming motivation for Henry to make a serious military challenge.
Why was Richard unconcerned by the threat posed by Bolingbroke?
This was in part because of the truce with France, which should have prohibited any French support of an attack on his realm.
What did Richard do that proved to be disastrous for his future as king?
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
How did the political situation in France and Burgundy shift?
Henry’s new ally, the duke of Orlèans, gained increasing influence over the mentally unstable French King, Charles VI.
What did France’s political shift mean for Bolingbroke?
Bolingbroke was therefore permitted the freedom to arrange an invasion of England
in early july 1399, where did Henry land?
in early july 1399, Henry landed in the Humber estuary
Who was Henry supported by when he landed in the estate?
many of his Lancashire retainers, as well as the earls of Northumberland and Westmorland and Archbishop Arundel.
What did York do when he learned of Henry landing in the estate?
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
What was Richard’s error when he heard of the invasion?
heard of the invasion on around 10 July, delayed his return until around 23 July.
Reasons for Richard’s delay in returning to England
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.
Why did Richard troops start to desert as soon as they reached Wales?
they learned of Bolingbroke’s
growing popularity and York’s defection
Who did Richard send to reason with Henry?
The duke of Exeter and the earl of Surrey
How did Henry react to Richard’s desperate attempt to negotiate with him?
Arrested Exeter and Surrey
The earl of Northumberland, acting on Henry’s behalf, met with the king
and negotiated that Richard would meet with his rebellious cousin where?
Flint Castle
When did Henry and Richard meet after the invasion?
On around 16 August, Bolingbroke and Richard met at Flint and, from this time onwards, Richard remained a prisoner at Bolingbroke’s hands.
What is a writ
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.
When were writs for a parliament issued in Richard’s name?
19 August
When did this parliament assemble?
30 September 1399.
What happened after parliament?
Richard was brought
to London and imprisoned in the Tower.
