Richard II

Richard II became King of England in 1377 at the age of ten, following the death of his grandfather, Edward III. His father, the Black Prince, had died the previous year, leaving Richard as the heir. During the early years of his reign, advisors directed domestic and foreign policy, and England was involved in the Hundred Years War with France.

In 1381, the Peasants' Revolt erupted due to heavy taxation, leading to violence and the sacking of the Tower of London. Richard showed courage by confronting the rebels and eventually married Anne of Bohemia in 1382. His mother, Joan of Kent, passed away in 1385.

Richard's governance during his adolescence was characterized by high-handedness and extravagance, leading to aristocratic unrest. The Lords Appellant challenged his rule, resulting in the execution or exile of his close advisors in 1388. By 1389, Richard declared himself of age and began to exert more control over the government.

Richard sought peace with France, resulting in a truce and his second marriage to Isabelle of Valois. However, his actions against the Lords Appellant in 1397, including executions and exiles, destabilized his reign. In 1399, Henry Bolingbroke returned from exile, deposed Richard, and claimed the throne as Henry IV.

Richard II died in 1400, likely murdered while imprisoned at Pontefract Castle. He was succeeded by Henry IV.