The Crises of 1399-1405 - Q2
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- Created on: 17-04-17 14:59
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- The crises of 1399-1405
- How significant was Bolingbroke's usurpation of the throne in relation to the problems of his early reign?
- 1. Henry IV and the problems arising from his behaviour in 1399:
- Henry did not have much military resistance when he took the crown but he knew if would be difficult to be secure.
- His first parliament - it was claimed that RII voluntarily resigned and admitted that he was 'inadequate' to rule and Bolingbroke should become king.
- This was unlikely as RII must have been furious by his forced abdication. The fact that he was forcibly removed was a serious problem for HIV's reign.
- Adam of Usk: important source of info about how the new Lancastrian regime justified HIV's seizure of power - he was a member of Arundel's entourage until his exile. He supported the Lancastrian side and was part of a committee justifying the deposition.
- They argued that the deposition was permitted by canon law because RII's rule was immoral - 39 accusations were read out including using taxes for Richard's personal advantage, failing to pay back loans, seizing lands from his subjects without good reason and using false accusations of treason to raise money.
- The fact that no one could trust him led to his downfall - his subjects were always left in a state of uncertainty.
- Accusations against RII were a political necessity as they needed a reason to remove the monarch.
- This meant that king's were now open to criticism and judgement from their subjects.
- This was not new as Edward II had also been deposed but the difference was that RII did not have an heir.
- It was now clear to nobles that unpopular kings could be ousted by 'over-mighty' subjects if he had enough military support.
- This was not new as Edward II had also been deposed but the difference was that RII did not have an heir.
- This meant that king's were now open to criticism and judgement from their subjects.
- Accusations against RII were a political necessity as they needed a reason to remove the monarch.
- The fact that no one could trust him led to his downfall - his subjects were always left in a state of uncertainty.
- They argued that the deposition was permitted by canon law because RII's rule was immoral - 39 accusations were read out including using taxes for Richard's personal advantage, failing to pay back loans, seizing lands from his subjects without good reason and using false accusations of treason to raise money.
- Adam of Usk: important source of info about how the new Lancastrian regime justified HIV's seizure of power - he was a member of Arundel's entourage until his exile. He supported the Lancastrian side and was part of a committee justifying the deposition.
- This was unlikely as RII must have been furious by his forced abdication. The fact that he was forcibly removed was a serious problem for HIV's reign.
- His first parliament - it was claimed that RII voluntarily resigned and admitted that he was 'inadequate' to rule and Bolingbroke should become king.
- Justifications for Henry Bolingbroke becoming king:
- First parliament: he stated that he was 'descended by right line of blood' from King Henry the third but it was deliberately vague.
- By right of primogenitureEdmund Mortimer was actually next in line to the throne. However, his claim was weakened because he inherited through the female line but he was still a potential threat to HIV's claim.
- The danger was lessened because Mortimer was only 8-years-old in 1399 - people did not want another child-king.
- Some people would be willing to use him in rebellions against Henry so he kept a close eye on him - he ensured they lived mainly in Windsor Castle.
- He was a risk because the Mortimer family were extremely powerful and had considerable support from Wales.
- He showed that he was a leader of some foresight as in the same year, Owain Glyndwr announced that his nephew was Richard II's rightful heir and that HIV had no claim.
- Some people would be willing to use him in rebellions against Henry so he kept a close eye on him - he ensured they lived mainly in Windsor Castle.
- The danger was lessened because Mortimer was only 8-years-old in 1399 - people did not want another child-king.
- People supported HIV because he was and adult male, a proven warrior and had a substantial retinue.
- From 1399 HIV made kingship legally conditional on competence and military right.
- Henry did not have much military resistance when he took the crown but he knew if would be difficult to be secure.
- 2. The first stirrings of revolt and the death of Richard in 1400:
- 13 October: HIV was crowned and his oldest son, Henry, was invested as the Prince of Wales to secure the succession.
- The fact that he had an heir strengthened his claim and the stability of the realm.
- He also wanted to break away from RII's unpopular policies by revoking the decisions of the 1397-98 parliament and restoring those of 1386.
- First parliament: HIV promised that he would only request taxation when it was needed for war unlike RII.
- The promise cause problems for HIV later but it did increase support for him in the short term.
- Henry showed RII's supporters clemency if they showed a willingness to support the new regime as RII was criticised for his lack of mercy.
- His takeover was not universally welcomed.
- January 1400: 'Epiphany Rising' took place.
- Diehard Ricardians planned to murder Henry and his sons during Christmas revelry at Windsor but the plot failed because Henry was forewarned so had time to escape with his family to London.
- The plan didn't gain popular support - many rebels were killed by local people before they could be executed.
- This shows that there was widespread dislike of RII - it increased Henry's stability on the throne.
- All the leaders of the 1400 rebellion died - Richard also died in February, 1400 and was buried honourably - his death was publicised (face displayed) to prevent pretenders from trying to claim the throne - this showed that he understood the importance of propaganda.
- He overcame difficulties to his reign with a combination of political skill and ruthlessness.
- RII's unpopularity also helped - he was able to fix the controversial decisions of his predecessors.
- People knew HIV was willing to act decisively against his enemies but he was also capable of mercy.
- He also did not alienate too many people.
- People knew HIV was willing to act decisively against his enemies but he was also capable of mercy.
- RII's unpopularity also helped - he was able to fix the controversial decisions of his predecessors.
- He overcame difficulties to his reign with a combination of political skill and ruthlessness.
- All the leaders of the 1400 rebellion died - Richard also died in February, 1400 and was buried honourably - his death was publicised (face displayed) to prevent pretenders from trying to claim the throne - this showed that he understood the importance of propaganda.
- This shows that there was widespread dislike of RII - it increased Henry's stability on the throne.
- The plan didn't gain popular support - many rebels were killed by local people before they could be executed.
- Diehard Ricardians planned to murder Henry and his sons during Christmas revelry at Windsor but the plot failed because Henry was forewarned so had time to escape with his family to London.
- January 1400: 'Epiphany Rising' took place.
- His takeover was not universally welcomed.
- Henry showed RII's supporters clemency if they showed a willingness to support the new regime as RII was criticised for his lack of mercy.
- The promise cause problems for HIV later but it did increase support for him in the short term.
- First parliament: HIV promised that he would only request taxation when it was needed for war unlike RII.
- He also wanted to break away from RII's unpopular policies by revoking the decisions of the 1397-98 parliament and restoring those of 1386.
- The fact that he had an heir strengthened his claim and the stability of the realm.
- 13 October: HIV was crowned and his oldest son, Henry, was invested as the Prince of Wales to secure the succession.
- 1. Henry IV and the problems arising from his behaviour in 1399:
- How significant was Bolingbroke's usurpation of the throne in relation to the problems of his early reign?
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