The crises of 1399-1405 - Q1
- Created by: gagandeepvirdi
- Created on: 06-04-17 09:46
View mindmap
- The crises of 1399-1405
- To what extent was RII responsible for the crises of 1399?
- 1. Bolingbroke's seizure of the throne from RII:
- RII was only 10-years-old when he was crowned king in July 1377 (after the death of his father)
- RII was a child king so others did the governing - this caused tension among leading nobles - key figures = John of Gaunt and Thomas Woodstock.
- Control over decisions made in the king's name caused concern - there was a lot of hostility towards his councillors.
- Taxes at the start of his reign were really high to finance military campaigns in France and Scotland.
- 1381: Tensions led to the 'Peasants' Revolt'
- Violent attacks on local and national leaders.
- People like John of Gaunt were blamed the new form of taxation called the poll tax (every adult charged the same amount regardless of wealth) and England's lack of success in the war with France.
- Began in Essex and spread rapidly - protestors were demanding to speak to the king who they claimed was being deceived by 'evil councillors'.
- RII acquitted himself with confidence in front of thousands. He told them that he heard their complaints, and would grant charters of freedom and pardons for the revolt (persuaded them to disperse).
- His generosity did not last - he witnessed many executions of rebels and formally revoked his pardons.
- RII acquitted himself with confidence in front of thousands. He told them that he heard their complaints, and would grant charters of freedom and pardons for the revolt (persuaded them to disperse).
- Not just the result of the poll tax, but also growing class tension that developed since 1347 (first outbreak of the Black Death) - living conditions improved for peasants.
- Agricultural labour shortage: workers demanded higher wages - their greater wealth led to increased leisure time and better food and clothes.
- The gentry and nobility disliked this so the Statute of Labourers was passed by parliament - this lowered wages again and restricted worker mobility.
- Workers resented this law and as a result they were hostile towards the ruling classes and the evil councillors.
- The gentry and nobility disliked this so the Statute of Labourers was passed by parliament - this lowered wages again and restricted worker mobility.
- Agricultural labour shortage: workers demanded higher wages - their greater wealth led to increased leisure time and better food and clothes.
- The revolt was frightening for leaders but showed RII's courage and ability to deal with hostile crowds whereas his nobles could not.
- RII was moving towards adulthood - he married Anne of Bohemia in Jan 1382.
- Arranged by leading members of the government in the hope of gaining the empires support against the French.
- RII had to commit to a £12,000 loan to marry.
- Was a failure for England. People were critical of the high cost of the marriage and they did not like how generous he was towards Anne's relations and servants. Also, the hope of a military alliance against the French failed to materialise.
- RII was moving towards adulthood - he married Anne of Bohemia in Jan 1382.
- 1381: Tensions led to the 'Peasants' Revolt'
- 2. Failings as an adult monarch:
- Over-generosity - he gave his favourites the important positions - this wasn't a problem but he took it to an extreme as he alienated and overlooked senior nobles e.g. Thomas of Woodstock (uncle) who felt excluded.
- William de la Pole and Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford were favoured.
- William was made chancellor in 1383 and became earl of Suffolk in 1385
- De Vere was widely disliked but RII was more generous towards him - the new rank of 'marquess' was created for him. He was also made duke of Ireland in 1386.
- William de la Pole and Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford were favoured.
- His methods and advisers were criticised.
- RII's financial generosity lead to royal debt.
- Parliament demanded an inquiry into royal finances in 1386.
- The king and his circle didn't seem committed to the war. Also, people were suspicious of pro-French leanings as he spent a lot of his childhood in France.
- He didn't show military capability or interest like his father and grandfather.
- People were hostile towards him because he didn't lead many military expeditions himself.
- William's negotiating for peace with France did nothing to improve his reputation - it only angered his uncles.
- 1385: RII led forces to Scotland but refused to fight beyond Edinburgh - ended badly with a quarrel between RII and Gaunt - as a result, Gaunt felt more alienated and excluded.
- This was dangerous because Gaunt was the most senior noble and an extremely experienced warrior.
- He left in 1386 to pursue claims towards the Castilian throne.
- This was dangerous because Gaunt was the most senior noble and an extremely experienced warrior.
- RII's financial generosity lead to royal debt.
- Over-generosity - he gave his favourites the important positions - this wasn't a problem but he took it to an extreme as he alienated and overlooked senior nobles e.g. Thomas of Woodstock (uncle) who felt excluded.
- 3. Wonderful Parliament of 1386 and its consequences:
- De la Pole was so unpopular that people demanded he was re moved from office before it could grant taxation for defence.
- Richard denied this and did not even discuss the matter.
- Led to a meeting at Eltham between Richard and many leading nobles. They warned him that if he did not attend parliament it could dissolve itself after 40 days and tax would not be given to defend against French threat.
- RII then foolishly threatened to seek help from France but Thomas Woodstock and Thomas Arundel reminded him that nobles could depose a king who alienated his people with common consent (Edward II - great-grandfather).
- RII watched his favourite being impeached although he did not allow his imprisonment.
- Parliament also demanded an enquiry into royal finances.
- Ricard began to move around the country to avoid commission into royal finances and to test the country's loyalty.
- De Vere was made justice of Chester (he looked for military support here) and he sought legal advice to punish traitors.
- Richard's opponents knew they were in dangerous positions so they presented him with an appeal for 5 of his favourites to be tried for treason (the men who made these complaints were known as the 'lords appellant'.
- RII's supporters from Chester were intercepted by the king's opponents at Radcot Bridge in Oxfordshire - a battle was fought.
- De Vere's troops were defeated - he fled abroad with de la Pole.
- The king had to attend the 'Merciless Parliament' of 1388 - his favourites were put on trial for treason.
- De la Pole and de Vere were sentenced to death and other supporters were executed immediately (RII never forgave their deaths)
- Bolingbroke gained an international reputation as a warrior.
- De la Pole and de Vere were sentenced to death and other supporters were executed immediately (RII never forgave their deaths)
- The king had to attend the 'Merciless Parliament' of 1388 - his favourites were put on trial for treason.
- De Vere's troops were defeated - he fled abroad with de la Pole.
- RII's supporters from Chester were intercepted by the king's opponents at Radcot Bridge in Oxfordshire - a battle was fought.
- Richard's opponents knew they were in dangerous positions so they presented him with an appeal for 5 of his favourites to be tried for treason (the men who made these complaints were known as the 'lords appellant'.
- De Vere was made justice of Chester (he looked for military support here) and he sought legal advice to punish traitors.
- Ricard began to move around the country to avoid commission into royal finances and to test the country's loyalty.
- Parliament also demanded an enquiry into royal finances.
- RII watched his favourite being impeached although he did not allow his imprisonment.
- RII then foolishly threatened to seek help from France but Thomas Woodstock and Thomas Arundel reminded him that nobles could depose a king who alienated his people with common consent (Edward II - great-grandfather).
- Led to a meeting at Eltham between Richard and many leading nobles. They warned him that if he did not attend parliament it could dissolve itself after 40 days and tax would not be given to defend against French threat.
- Richard denied this and did not even discuss the matter.
- De la Pole was so unpopular that people demanded he was re moved from office before it could grant taxation for defence.
- Why was Bolingbroke able to seize power in 1399?
- When he first invaded he claimed that he was trying to regain his Lancastrian lands but it is unclear when he decided to depose the king.
- Many people were willing to support his claim - he was liked in many areas which he exploited to further his dynastic ambitions.
- Ricard's absence in Ireland was crucial - he was accompanied by many of his leading supporters including his Cheshire retinue
- The fact that the duke of York was willing to support a usurper showed how unpopular RII was among many nobleman.
- 1. Bolingbroke's seizure of the throne from RII:
- 4. Richard II and the problems of the royal succession:
- 1394: Gaunt's influence over Richard was declining.
- The king's lack of an heir was causing tension - his marriage to Anne of Bohemia (died 1394) was childless.
- Succession was uncertain - his heir was Roger Mortimer, earl of March, but Gaunt also had a significant claim (he was Edward III's third son) - Gaunt was the stronger candidate (wealthy and had military support).
- Gaunt and his son, Henry Bolingbroke were threats to Richard's power.
- A solution would be to remarry and father an heir but RII was unwilling to do this. Her death may have had an impact on his mental stability as he became more suspicious and tyrannical.
- 1396: he agreed to marry Isabella (daughter of the French King Charles VI) who was only 7-years-old. This also meant that the marriage remained unconsummated until she reached puberty so RII would not have a legitimate heir for at least another 7 years.
- The marriage was a sign of his pro-French leanings - regarded as unpatriotic.
- However, it did reduce hostilities with France - the marriage agreement was accompanied by a 28-year truce.
- The marriage was a sign of his pro-French leanings - regarded as unpatriotic.
- 1396: he agreed to marry Isabella (daughter of the French King Charles VI) who was only 7-years-old. This also meant that the marriage remained unconsummated until she reached puberty so RII would not have a legitimate heir for at least another 7 years.
- A solution would be to remarry and father an heir but RII was unwilling to do this. Her death may have had an impact on his mental stability as he became more suspicious and tyrannical.
- Gaunt and his son, Henry Bolingbroke were threats to Richard's power.
- Succession was uncertain - his heir was Roger Mortimer, earl of March, but Gaunt also had a significant claim (he was Edward III's third son) - Gaunt was the stronger candidate (wealthy and had military support).
- The king's lack of an heir was causing tension - his marriage to Anne of Bohemia (died 1394) was childless.
- Historians argue that is desire for the French match was selfishly motivated - he wanted freedom from taxation and he sought foreign armed support.
- Evidence: he threatened to request French assistance against rebels and he requested a promise of french assistance when needed, during his marriage negotiations.
- This shows he was suspicious of the nobility.
- July 1397: he was paranoid and ordered Gloucester, Arundel and Warwick to be arrested and tried for treason.
- Gloucester had been critical of his marriage and treaty with France but some believe that he did this as revenge for Radcot bridge.
- HB and his father allied themselves with king to consolidate their positions.
- Arundel was executed, Gloucester died at Calais and Warwick was imprisoned. Bolingbroke was made duke of Hereford.
- Bolingbroke did become afraid of RII and begged for a pardon for his role in the 1387 events. He also hosted lavish entertainments for Richard d which he paid for.
- 1398: RII exiled Thomas Mowbray (for life) and Bolingbroke (10 years) after their quarrel. HB was given money, could travel anywhere and was allowed to obtain inheritance.
- Richard's goodwill was short lived - after John of Gaunt died on 3 February 1399, HB was disinherited - this made HB want to make a serious military challenge.
- May: Henry made an alliance with Louis, duke of Orleans and the French king's brother (agreed to support each other militarily).
- Richard was not concerned about this threat because the truce prohibited French support of an attack on his realm.
- May 1399: RII led an expedition to Ireland to suppress ongoing rebellion there but he did not know about the shifting political situation in France and Burgundy.
- The duke of Orleans was gaining more influence over Charles VI who was mentally unstable so HB was permitted to arrange an invasion of England.
- July 1399: HB landed in East Yorkshire and was even supported by the duke of York.
- RII's mistake was that he didn't return immediately when he heard about the invasion on 10 July - he waited until 23 July.
- When he reached Wales his troops were deserting because HB was becoming more popular - HB's position was strengthened as he seized the king's treasure.
- RII sent the duke of Exeter and the earl of Surrey to reason with HB but he arrested them both.
- The earl of Northumberl-and negotiated with the king on HB's behalf.
- HB and RII met at Flint on 16 August and from then, RII remained a prisoner. He was later imprisoned in the Tower.
- The earl of Northumberl-and negotiated with the king on HB's behalf.
- RII sent the duke of Exeter and the earl of Surrey to reason with HB but he arrested them both.
- When he reached Wales his troops were deserting because HB was becoming more popular - HB's position was strengthened as he seized the king's treasure.
- RII's mistake was that he didn't return immediately when he heard about the invasion on 10 July - he waited until 23 July.
- July 1399: HB landed in East Yorkshire and was even supported by the duke of York.
- The duke of Orleans was gaining more influence over Charles VI who was mentally unstable so HB was permitted to arrange an invasion of England.
- May 1399: RII led an expedition to Ireland to suppress ongoing rebellion there but he did not know about the shifting political situation in France and Burgundy.
- Richard was not concerned about this threat because the truce prohibited French support of an attack on his realm.
- May: Henry made an alliance with Louis, duke of Orleans and the French king's brother (agreed to support each other militarily).
- Richard's goodwill was short lived - after John of Gaunt died on 3 February 1399, HB was disinherited - this made HB want to make a serious military challenge.
- 1398: RII exiled Thomas Mowbray (for life) and Bolingbroke (10 years) after their quarrel. HB was given money, could travel anywhere and was allowed to obtain inheritance.
- Bolingbroke did become afraid of RII and begged for a pardon for his role in the 1387 events. He also hosted lavish entertainments for Richard d which he paid for.
- Arundel was executed, Gloucester died at Calais and Warwick was imprisoned. Bolingbroke was made duke of Hereford.
- HB and his father allied themselves with king to consolidate their positions.
- Gloucester had been critical of his marriage and treaty with France but some believe that he did this as revenge for Radcot bridge.
- July 1397: he was paranoid and ordered Gloucester, Arundel and Warwick to be arrested and tried for treason.
- This shows he was suspicious of the nobility.
- Evidence: he threatened to request French assistance against rebels and he requested a promise of french assistance when needed, during his marriage negotiations.
- 1394: Gaunt's influence over Richard was declining.
- To what extent was RII responsible for the crises of 1399?
Comments
No comments have yet been made