A belief in prophecy, omens and portents was strong in medieval England. But few English kings appear to have embraced the supernatural as wholeheartedly as Richard II. Today a common view of medieval society is… Read More »Omens, Portents and Richard II
In 1491, a well-dressed young man appeared at the port of Cork in Ireland claiming to be Richard of Shrewsbury, son of Edward IV and rightful king of England. Over the next few years, he… Read More »Imposter or Pretender?
Between 3 February and 4 June 1388, the so-called Merciless Parliament effectively stripped Richard II of power. The Parliament asserted that the 21-year-old monarch was too immature and too easily influenced by corrupt hangers-on to… Read More »The Tyranny of Richard II
It was the summer of 1377, and the old king was dead. His grandson, a boy of just 10 years old, succeeded him as Richard II. Richard’s reign would end with his violent overthrow and… Read More »The Wars of the Roses 2-Richard II, the Boy King