How far do you agree that Richard II was solely responsible for his loss of
the throne in 1399?
● He was solely responsible to a substantial extent – longer term triggers, including his misuse of
patronage, culminated in noble opposition - this played into his paranoia + tyranny
Solely responsible Not solely responsible Not solely responsible
● The actions of Richard and his ● The actions of Richard which ● Some weight must be given to the
exclusivity associated with the culminated in his loss of the throne role of the lords appellant and
use of patronage can be blamed cannot be considered completely Bolingbroke in particular, which
on no-one else except himself: his fault, and instead may be ultimately led to Richard’s
❖ After all, Richard considered “partially” his fault: usurpation:
emerged from the ❖ Admittedly, his tyranny ❖ It was these nobles who
minority in 1381 and no was exercised by himself – officially crossed the
longer had his behaviour yet many historians, rubicon – admittedly,
dictated by his advisors, including T F Tout, see this tyranny was a huge factor –
such as John of Gaunt period of tyranny as but this was a psychological
and Thomas Woodstock. caused by the death of response to the continual
❖ This meant that his Anne of Bohemia in 1394. assault on Richard’s royal
distribution of patronage ❖ This meant that it was a prerogatives.
was solely up to him, and psychological short term ❖ This can be argued to
therefore the alienation trigger that caused this minimise the importance of
of key noblemen and the tyranny – and this cannot “tyranny” for Richard’s
lords appellant inevitably be truly considered his eventual usurpation – he
led to his loss of the “sole” fault. was pushed so far into a
throne. ● Nevertheless, he continued to build corner that he had to come
● For example, his decision to on the exclusive actions that he out fighting.
appoint de la Pole to Chancellor showcased in his earlier reign: ● This was demonstrated by
in 1383 and then earl of Suffolk in ❖ He sent 700 archers to the Bolingbroke’s past as joining the
1385 – as well as Robert de Vere prosecution of the lords lords appellant to impeach and
to Marquess and the duke of appellant in 1397, sentence Suffolk + de Vere in the
Ireland in 1386 – inevitably meant including 300 from his 1388 Merciless Parliament:
that he overlooked other senior private retinue (militarily ❖ This continued to
noblemen who had arguably significant act of tyranny, contribute to the assault on
assisted him in his early kingship: acting above the laws and Richard’s royal
❖ Anthony Tuck: “lavish to customs of the realm) prerogatives, and meant
the point of foolishness” ❖ His disinheritance of that it would later lead to
❖ The longer term political Bolingbroke’s entailed Bolingbroke’s successful
significance of this was estates in Feb 1399–short usurpation – the royal
demonstrated by the term diplomatic response would justify the
1386 Wonderful significance, leading to a invasion of Bolingbroke and
Parliament–demanding French-Bolingbroke axis by eventually lead to the
the impeachment of de May 1399. usurpation of Richard.
la Pole + the threat to ● This certainly undermined the ● The longer term significance of this
dissolve parliament in 40 confidence of the nobility–and was shown by the Archbishop of
days. amongst the ordinary people, his York – actually the Protector of the
● In the longer term, this inevitably levying of a fine from 17 counties Realm while Richard was in Ireland
crossed the rubicon – the assault (which he described the “price of in July 1399! – deciding to abandon
on Richard’s royal prerogatives regaining royal favour”) meant that his role and instead welcome the
and his power to dissolve he consolidated this geographic invasion of Bolingbroke:
parliament made the nobility base of resentment against his ❖ This signifies that
more willing to be assertive over kingship: Bolingbroke’s growing
him. ❖ This paranoia was crucial ambitions for the throne
to his eventual loss of the and ability to manipulate
throne, and a much the nobility + win them
shorter trigger. over was important.
, How far do you agree that the death of Richard II in 1400 was the main reason
Bolingbroke was able to maintain his hold on the throne from 1399 to 1405?
● It was not the death of Richard — we know this because local Ricardians were murdered by mobs in
the localities, suggesting Ricardian support was dim – it was diplomacy, as this prevented foreign
threats from joining together and seriously challenging the new Lancastrian regime.
Death of Richard and Ricardians Diplomacy Military action and noble relations
● The death of Richard in 1400 was ● Depending on the cause of ● Henry’s use of military action and his
a crucial factor allowing instability, it can be said that careful choosing of noble
Bolingbroke to maintain his hold diplomacy was the main factor relationships was also fundamental
of the throne: that Richard was able to maintain in maintaining control of the throne:
❖ It ultimately marked the control of the throne: ❖ Henry took advantage of
movement from their ❖ Diplomacy allowed for retaining very effectively;
being an illegal usurper foreign threat to be understanding the
with a legitimate reduced—this was crucial geographic significance of
alternative to just the economically and threats to his reign (as the
illegal usurper politically, all while 1405 Tripartite Indenture
remaining, meaning that upholding his domestic demonstrated), this meant
Richard, a potential popularity—and all while that he carefully relied on
figurehead for future ensuring that he lived up Lancastrian advisors.
rebellion, was gone. to his promise to “live off ❖ After all, the king was only
● This was crucial; the loss of a his own” one person—and this meant
figurehead justified the death of ● For example, in 1402, Henry that he could not be
other Ricardians: married Joan of Brittany: everywhere all at once.
❖ The Jan 1400 Epiphany ❖ This was crucial in ● For example, in response to Owain
Rising—Sir Thomas maintaining a close Glyndwr’s Rebellion, Hugh Burnell
Despenser and the earls support base in France. was able to intercept him in the town
of Huntingdon, Kent and ❖ This was supplemented of Ruthin before he caused further
Salisbury—arrived at by the marriage of damage to Lord Grey’s village:
Windsor with about 400 Blanche to Ludwig, eldest ❖ In the short term, this
fellow archers and son of Rupert, the Count allowed him to put down
Ricardians, were Palatine of the Rhine–this the rebellion–in the longer
imprisoned at Pontefract meant that Henry term, this was rather
Castle and subsequently successfully took ineffective and only led to
killed along with Richard. advantage of diplomacy the rebellion translating into
● This was all while maintaining to ensure a stable guerilla warfare, which was
credibility for Henry: support base throughout arguably more of a
❖ Contextually speaking, the lower country. headache for the new
H4 ensured that Richard ● This tool also had economic Lancastrian regime.
“starved” to death–he significance: ● However, military action was also a
was not murdered, all ❖ H4 married his daughter, significant tool when it came to
because he still held the Philipa, to the King of foreign and internal relations:
divine ordain. Norway and Sweden–this ❖ While failing to eradicate
❖ This meant that it was a served to settle disputes the threat entirely, H4 did
significant turning point with the Hanseatic use his personal force that
in the stability of the League ensuring that came with kingship—he
Lancastrian dynasty–it tradesmen within the visited Aquitaine and
completely removed any realm remained happy. ensured that residents
potential for challenges ❖ This successfully targeted recognised Henry as their
to the heir (the Prince of those with a stake in H4’s feudal lord, symbolically
Wales was declared in stability, London overriding the orders of King
October 1399), and this merchants. Charles the Mad.
was all done in a ‘pure’, ❖ The Battle of Shrewsbury
socially credible way. (1403) eliminated Percy.
, How far do you agree that it was relations with foreign powers that had the
most significant impact on the stability of Henry IV from 1399 to 1405?
● Foreign relations were the most significant—the fact they were predetermined and more sustained
(R2 being well liked, so usurpation being met with a poor response) + the impact it had on finances
Foreign powers Internal threats Financial grievance
● Foreign powers had a significant ● There were also several internal ● A key factor undermining the stability
impact on the stability of Henry IV threats under Henry IV: of Henry IV was also the role of
from 1399 to 1405: ❖ The role of the Percy’s financial grievances and financial
❖ At the crux of this and Owain Glyndwr. misuse:
argument is the idea that ❖ This became ❖ This ultimately made
poor relations with geographically significant parliament more assertive,
foreign powers were — the king is only one but it also undermined his
predetermined. person, and cannot fight key promise that set the
❖ In comparison to Henry, against multiple rebels at tone for his reign – he
Richard was heavily once. promised to “live off his
favoured in the Lower ❖ This meant that he had to own”
Countries–he was known rely on close allies, and ❖ In the long term, this would
as “Richard of Bordeaux” his reign hung on by an be completely undermined;
(he grew up there) absolute thread. and the fact that Henry’s
❖ This inevitably meant ● This was exhibited by Glyndwr’s reign was based on
that Henry would face rebellion in 1400, which after capability and simply
issues when usurping a going after Lord Grey and burning offering an alternative to
legitimate, well liked king his town of Ruthin (later being Richard meant that the very
abroad – and this made decisively put down by Hugh basis of his reign was
it the most significant Burnell, loyal Lancastrian advisor) completely undermined!
threat to his stability, as it translated into guerilla warfare: ● For example, the cost of Aquitaine
it was sustained and less ❖ The threat was shown by from 1400 to 1403 was about £1,300
easy to defeat! parliament’s actions, in a year:
● For example, the threat from the which legislation was ❖ This reflects the intertwined
duke of Orleans (who reneged on passed to prevent the significance of foreign
his promise to back Henry sale of any arms/any threat, too; 2 French naval
militarily after realising Henry was military supplies to Wales attacks on the coast in
actually very capable) led to open –and Welshmen also 1402-1403 and piracy on
embarrassments of Henry’s began to return home in the English channel was
capabilities: 1400-1403, allegedly blamed on financial
❖ On two occasions preparing for war. mismanagement in the royal
between 1402-3 he was ❖ At the crux of this was the household, hence meaning
invited to open battle; actual legitimacy of these that Henry’s control over
claimed to be “too low a rivals to the throne. parliament weakened and
rank” ❖ Henry Percy and he had to raise taxation!
● The Scots invaded in 1402 under Mortimer had a ● This culminated in Scrope’s Rebellion
the earl of Douglas – this led to legitimate claim to the of 1405.
the Battle of Homildon Hill throne – albeit weak, ❖ Contextually, this was
❖ This demonstrated they were just as credible hugely significant – not only
another area of as Henry and could pull was there just 2
weakness–the king off the mirror image of Archbishop’s in the realm,
lacked a personal Henry’s usurpation. but this demonstrated that
standing army and relied ● This meant that they posed a financial grievances also
on noble retinues. significant geographic threat – the played into internal stability
❖ Douglas was defeated by Tripartite Indenture of 1405, through the clergy.
Percy–a key rival! This following a royal standoff with ❖ They camped outside York
meant he had to make about 13,000 Franco Welsh with an army demanding
concessions and hence troops, demonstrated opposition financial reform, ending in
this stirred instability. in all corners of the realm. Scrope’s execution.
the throne in 1399?
● He was solely responsible to a substantial extent – longer term triggers, including his misuse of
patronage, culminated in noble opposition - this played into his paranoia + tyranny
Solely responsible Not solely responsible Not solely responsible
● The actions of Richard and his ● The actions of Richard which ● Some weight must be given to the
exclusivity associated with the culminated in his loss of the throne role of the lords appellant and
use of patronage can be blamed cannot be considered completely Bolingbroke in particular, which
on no-one else except himself: his fault, and instead may be ultimately led to Richard’s
❖ After all, Richard considered “partially” his fault: usurpation:
emerged from the ❖ Admittedly, his tyranny ❖ It was these nobles who
minority in 1381 and no was exercised by himself – officially crossed the
longer had his behaviour yet many historians, rubicon – admittedly,
dictated by his advisors, including T F Tout, see this tyranny was a huge factor –
such as John of Gaunt period of tyranny as but this was a psychological
and Thomas Woodstock. caused by the death of response to the continual
❖ This meant that his Anne of Bohemia in 1394. assault on Richard’s royal
distribution of patronage ❖ This meant that it was a prerogatives.
was solely up to him, and psychological short term ❖ This can be argued to
therefore the alienation trigger that caused this minimise the importance of
of key noblemen and the tyranny – and this cannot “tyranny” for Richard’s
lords appellant inevitably be truly considered his eventual usurpation – he
led to his loss of the “sole” fault. was pushed so far into a
throne. ● Nevertheless, he continued to build corner that he had to come
● For example, his decision to on the exclusive actions that he out fighting.
appoint de la Pole to Chancellor showcased in his earlier reign: ● This was demonstrated by
in 1383 and then earl of Suffolk in ❖ He sent 700 archers to the Bolingbroke’s past as joining the
1385 – as well as Robert de Vere prosecution of the lords lords appellant to impeach and
to Marquess and the duke of appellant in 1397, sentence Suffolk + de Vere in the
Ireland in 1386 – inevitably meant including 300 from his 1388 Merciless Parliament:
that he overlooked other senior private retinue (militarily ❖ This continued to
noblemen who had arguably significant act of tyranny, contribute to the assault on
assisted him in his early kingship: acting above the laws and Richard’s royal
❖ Anthony Tuck: “lavish to customs of the realm) prerogatives, and meant
the point of foolishness” ❖ His disinheritance of that it would later lead to
❖ The longer term political Bolingbroke’s entailed Bolingbroke’s successful
significance of this was estates in Feb 1399–short usurpation – the royal
demonstrated by the term diplomatic response would justify the
1386 Wonderful significance, leading to a invasion of Bolingbroke and
Parliament–demanding French-Bolingbroke axis by eventually lead to the
the impeachment of de May 1399. usurpation of Richard.
la Pole + the threat to ● This certainly undermined the ● The longer term significance of this
dissolve parliament in 40 confidence of the nobility–and was shown by the Archbishop of
days. amongst the ordinary people, his York – actually the Protector of the
● In the longer term, this inevitably levying of a fine from 17 counties Realm while Richard was in Ireland
crossed the rubicon – the assault (which he described the “price of in July 1399! – deciding to abandon
on Richard’s royal prerogatives regaining royal favour”) meant that his role and instead welcome the
and his power to dissolve he consolidated this geographic invasion of Bolingbroke:
parliament made the nobility base of resentment against his ❖ This signifies that
more willing to be assertive over kingship: Bolingbroke’s growing
him. ❖ This paranoia was crucial ambitions for the throne
to his eventual loss of the and ability to manipulate
throne, and a much the nobility + win them
shorter trigger. over was important.
, How far do you agree that the death of Richard II in 1400 was the main reason
Bolingbroke was able to maintain his hold on the throne from 1399 to 1405?
● It was not the death of Richard — we know this because local Ricardians were murdered by mobs in
the localities, suggesting Ricardian support was dim – it was diplomacy, as this prevented foreign
threats from joining together and seriously challenging the new Lancastrian regime.
Death of Richard and Ricardians Diplomacy Military action and noble relations
● The death of Richard in 1400 was ● Depending on the cause of ● Henry’s use of military action and his
a crucial factor allowing instability, it can be said that careful choosing of noble
Bolingbroke to maintain his hold diplomacy was the main factor relationships was also fundamental
of the throne: that Richard was able to maintain in maintaining control of the throne:
❖ It ultimately marked the control of the throne: ❖ Henry took advantage of
movement from their ❖ Diplomacy allowed for retaining very effectively;
being an illegal usurper foreign threat to be understanding the
with a legitimate reduced—this was crucial geographic significance of
alternative to just the economically and threats to his reign (as the
illegal usurper politically, all while 1405 Tripartite Indenture
remaining, meaning that upholding his domestic demonstrated), this meant
Richard, a potential popularity—and all while that he carefully relied on
figurehead for future ensuring that he lived up Lancastrian advisors.
rebellion, was gone. to his promise to “live off ❖ After all, the king was only
● This was crucial; the loss of a his own” one person—and this meant
figurehead justified the death of ● For example, in 1402, Henry that he could not be
other Ricardians: married Joan of Brittany: everywhere all at once.
❖ The Jan 1400 Epiphany ❖ This was crucial in ● For example, in response to Owain
Rising—Sir Thomas maintaining a close Glyndwr’s Rebellion, Hugh Burnell
Despenser and the earls support base in France. was able to intercept him in the town
of Huntingdon, Kent and ❖ This was supplemented of Ruthin before he caused further
Salisbury—arrived at by the marriage of damage to Lord Grey’s village:
Windsor with about 400 Blanche to Ludwig, eldest ❖ In the short term, this
fellow archers and son of Rupert, the Count allowed him to put down
Ricardians, were Palatine of the Rhine–this the rebellion–in the longer
imprisoned at Pontefract meant that Henry term, this was rather
Castle and subsequently successfully took ineffective and only led to
killed along with Richard. advantage of diplomacy the rebellion translating into
● This was all while maintaining to ensure a stable guerilla warfare, which was
credibility for Henry: support base throughout arguably more of a
❖ Contextually speaking, the lower country. headache for the new
H4 ensured that Richard ● This tool also had economic Lancastrian regime.
“starved” to death–he significance: ● However, military action was also a
was not murdered, all ❖ H4 married his daughter, significant tool when it came to
because he still held the Philipa, to the King of foreign and internal relations:
divine ordain. Norway and Sweden–this ❖ While failing to eradicate
❖ This meant that it was a served to settle disputes the threat entirely, H4 did
significant turning point with the Hanseatic use his personal force that
in the stability of the League ensuring that came with kingship—he
Lancastrian dynasty–it tradesmen within the visited Aquitaine and
completely removed any realm remained happy. ensured that residents
potential for challenges ❖ This successfully targeted recognised Henry as their
to the heir (the Prince of those with a stake in H4’s feudal lord, symbolically
Wales was declared in stability, London overriding the orders of King
October 1399), and this merchants. Charles the Mad.
was all done in a ‘pure’, ❖ The Battle of Shrewsbury
socially credible way. (1403) eliminated Percy.
, How far do you agree that it was relations with foreign powers that had the
most significant impact on the stability of Henry IV from 1399 to 1405?
● Foreign relations were the most significant—the fact they were predetermined and more sustained
(R2 being well liked, so usurpation being met with a poor response) + the impact it had on finances
Foreign powers Internal threats Financial grievance
● Foreign powers had a significant ● There were also several internal ● A key factor undermining the stability
impact on the stability of Henry IV threats under Henry IV: of Henry IV was also the role of
from 1399 to 1405: ❖ The role of the Percy’s financial grievances and financial
❖ At the crux of this and Owain Glyndwr. misuse:
argument is the idea that ❖ This became ❖ This ultimately made
poor relations with geographically significant parliament more assertive,
foreign powers were — the king is only one but it also undermined his
predetermined. person, and cannot fight key promise that set the
❖ In comparison to Henry, against multiple rebels at tone for his reign – he
Richard was heavily once. promised to “live off his
favoured in the Lower ❖ This meant that he had to own”
Countries–he was known rely on close allies, and ❖ In the long term, this would
as “Richard of Bordeaux” his reign hung on by an be completely undermined;
(he grew up there) absolute thread. and the fact that Henry’s
❖ This inevitably meant ● This was exhibited by Glyndwr’s reign was based on
that Henry would face rebellion in 1400, which after capability and simply
issues when usurping a going after Lord Grey and burning offering an alternative to
legitimate, well liked king his town of Ruthin (later being Richard meant that the very
abroad – and this made decisively put down by Hugh basis of his reign was
it the most significant Burnell, loyal Lancastrian advisor) completely undermined!
threat to his stability, as it translated into guerilla warfare: ● For example, the cost of Aquitaine
it was sustained and less ❖ The threat was shown by from 1400 to 1403 was about £1,300
easy to defeat! parliament’s actions, in a year:
● For example, the threat from the which legislation was ❖ This reflects the intertwined
duke of Orleans (who reneged on passed to prevent the significance of foreign
his promise to back Henry sale of any arms/any threat, too; 2 French naval
militarily after realising Henry was military supplies to Wales attacks on the coast in
actually very capable) led to open –and Welshmen also 1402-1403 and piracy on
embarrassments of Henry’s began to return home in the English channel was
capabilities: 1400-1403, allegedly blamed on financial
❖ On two occasions preparing for war. mismanagement in the royal
between 1402-3 he was ❖ At the crux of this was the household, hence meaning
invited to open battle; actual legitimacy of these that Henry’s control over
claimed to be “too low a rivals to the throne. parliament weakened and
rank” ❖ Henry Percy and he had to raise taxation!
● The Scots invaded in 1402 under Mortimer had a ● This culminated in Scrope’s Rebellion
the earl of Douglas – this led to legitimate claim to the of 1405.
the Battle of Homildon Hill throne – albeit weak, ❖ Contextually, this was
❖ This demonstrated they were just as credible hugely significant – not only
another area of as Henry and could pull was there just 2
weakness–the king off the mirror image of Archbishop’s in the realm,
lacked a personal Henry’s usurpation. but this demonstrated that
standing army and relied ● This meant that they posed a financial grievances also
on noble retinues. significant geographic threat – the played into internal stability
❖ Douglas was defeated by Tripartite Indenture of 1405, through the clergy.
Percy–a key rival! This following a royal standoff with ❖ They camped outside York
meant he had to make about 13,000 Franco Welsh with an army demanding
concessions and hence troops, demonstrated opposition financial reform, ending in
this stirred instability. in all corners of the realm. Scrope’s execution.
