King Richard II

Richard, the only son of Edward the Black Prince and Joan of Kent, was born in 1367. When his grandfather Edward III died in 1377 Richard became king. He was only ten years old and so in the early years of his reign his uncle, John of Gaunt, was the most important figure in the government.

The unpopular Poll Tax resulted in the 1381 Peasants' Revolt. Although his dealings with the rebels impressed the barons, his refusal to honour the charters that he signed made him extremely unpopular with the peasants.

Richard also lost the support of his barons when he refused to listen to their advice. In 1387 the nobles imposed a council of eleven men to oversee royal government. This was the start of a long-drawn-out battle between Richard and the barons.

Several leading barons lost their lives before Richard was deposed in 1399. Richard was imprisoned in Pontefract Castle where he died (probably murdered) a few months later.