William Hamilton (1751–1801), The Landing of Richard II at Milford Haven (date not known), media and dimensions not known, Sir John Soane’s Museum, London. Richard laments the mortality of kings, and is then told that York has also joined forces with Bolingbroke, which throws him into deeper despair. When the King returns from Ireland, he hears that his Welsh army has dispersed, and that Bolingbroke has had three of his favourites executed. York challenges Bolingbroke at Berkeley Castle, but when assured that he only seeks restitution of his inheritance, allows Bolingbroke to enter the castle. The remaining court disperses to seek their own safety. While the King is away in Ireland, his regent the Duke of York and the Queen hear that Bolingbroke and his army have landed, and the other nobles are joining forces with him. He is warned that Bolingbroke is only waiting for the King to go to Ireland before landing in the north with his army. As expected, the King then seizes Gaunt’s estate as he had planned. Richard then visits Gaunt, who rebukes him before dying. The King hopes that he dies quickly so that his estate can be confiscated and sold to raise money for his Irish campaign. The King agrees to put down a rebellion in Ireland, and is informed that John of Gaunt, Bolingbroke’s father, is sick. Richard lived between 1367-1400, and reigned from 1377-99, so this shows him when he was probably in his mid to late twenties. This contemporary portrait of King Richard II of England is thought to have been painted by André Beauneveu in the 1390s. André Beauneveu (c 1332-1402) (attr), King Richard II of England (c 1395), oil on panel, dimensions not known, Westminster Abbey, London.

As the King is unable to resolve this peacefully, they are to proceed to trial by battle, in which Gloucester’s widow hopes that Bolingbroke is successful.Īfter long formalities, the King intervenes to stop their trial by battle, and decrees that both will be banished, Bolingbroke for ten years reduced to six, and Mowbray for the rest of his life. It has had a small but loyal following from British artists, but doesn’t seem to have caught the eye of any of the more prominent painters.īolingbroke the Duke of Hereford accuses Mowbray the Duke of Norfolk of killing the Duke of Gloucester, in front of King Richard. Shakespeare is believed to have written this in 1595, since when it has enjoyed many performances, although it did fall from favour during the eighteenth century. These must have been delicate matters at the time. Telling the story of the forced abdication of a childless English king may have been a bit near the mark for the time of Queen Elizabeth I, and the Earl of Essex apparently had the play revived when he was preparing for his failed attempt at a coup in 1601.

William Shakespeare’s Life and Death of King Richard the Second had great contemporary relevance.

King richard william shakespeare