Richard II of England was the King of England from 1377 to 1399. He was born on January 6, 1367, and was the son of Edward, the Black Prince, and grandson of King Edward III. Richard II ascended to the throne at the age of ten, following the death of his grandfather. His reign was marked by a tumultuous political climate and internal conflicts within the English monarchy.
Richard II's reign is often considered as a time of ineffective governance, characterized by his troubled relationship with the nobility and his controversial policies. He faced numerous challenges, including rebellions and power struggles with powerful nobles such as Henry Bolingbroke (who later became King Henry IV). Richard's tendency towards favoritism and his reliance on a small inner circle of advisors, known as the "Lords Appellant," also contributed to political instability during his rule.
One of the most significant events of Richard II's reign was the Peasants' Revolt in 1381, a widespread rebellion against the oppressive feudal system and poll taxes. Richard's attempts to suppress the revolt only exacerbated the tensions between the ruling class and the commoners.
Richard II's reign came to an abrupt end in 1399 when he was deposed by Henry Bolingbroke, who then became King Henry IV. Richard was subsequently imprisoned and died under mysterious circumstances in early 1400.
Overall, Richard II's rule represents a period of political turmoil and internal conflict within the English monarchy, ultimately leading to the downfall of his own reign.
