This play is the first in a series of
four, which spans Henry IV Parts I and II and culminates with Henry V.
Richard II is an ineffectual and unsatisfactory king. He is a wastrel; he
overtaxes and is out of touch with the people. The charting of his slow
descent from the throne starts with a trial by combat between Henry
Bolingbroke and Mowbray. Bolingbroke has accused Mowbray of
misusing royal funds and of plotting Gloucester’s
death. Richard makes
the mistake of banishing them both, Mowbray for good, Bolingbroke for
six years. Then, in his absence Richard seizes the Bolingbroke family
lands.
A theme of this play is the character study of Richard against his
nemesis Bolingbroke: the one lyrical, poetical and given to posturing,
the other practical and direct; one whose bad management increases his
unpopularity, the other who can raise public opinion to rebellion against
an anointed king.
Richard embarks on a war in Ireland, whilst Bolingbroke, enraged at the
loss of his lands, returns to England. Here he is welcomed in what is to
become a tide of increasing rebel popularity. Richard’s
supporters disband, unable to withstand Bolingbroke and fearing that the king has
died in Ireland. Richard returns, certain that Bolingbroke can easily be
put aside, but instead discovers the desertion of his supporters.
Bolingbroke informs him he will disperse the uprising if his lands are
restored to him and his banishment is revoked. Richard agrees, his
power almost gone and Bolingbroke brings him to London. Here the
original dispute with Mowbray is raised, for the question is how far was
Richard involved in the death of Gloucester. The throwing down of
gauntlets between nobles on opposite sides of this dispute reaches
ridiculous proportions as they run out of gauntlets to challenge and
answer each other. Bolingbroke steps in. He demands that Mowbray be
sent for to resolve the matter, but he learns that Mowbray is dead. Guilt
and innocence is unclear, and the king must answer the charges.
The Bishop of Carlisle claims that Bolingbroke does not the authority to
stand in judgement of the king. Nevertheless, Bolingbroke ascends to
the throne, demanding Richard answer for his wrongdoing. Richard
abdicates in favour of Bolingbroke, but will not read out his crimes.
There are plots against Bolingbroke and he dispenses summary justice,
executing his enemies (including Carlisle) and rewarding his supporters.
Exton, correctly assessing that Bolingbroke wants Richard dead, murders
him. Bolingbroke is unable to accept what amounts to regicide on his
behalf, and will not reward Richard’s murderer.
The guilt of Richard’s death is one of the driving themes of the next two
plays. Richard foretold that uprisings would haunt the new King Henry
IV, and prophesied that his bloodline would never be cleansed. The guilt
is to take an increasing toll on Henry’s health and the vitality of his
reign. To assuage it, he plans a crusade to the Holy Land, but this never
materialises. It is left to his son, Henry V, to purify the line of the Royal
House of Lancaster, and he does this through his conquest of France.
The play contains the famous eulogy of England as this “Sceptred Isle.” It
is spoken by John of Gaunt, Bolingbroke’s father, and it is significant
that whilst Richard impatiently dismisses its sentiments, Henry V, at the
Battle of Agincourt, takes up the patriotic cry. He calls his army forward
in the name of England and Saint George, and leads them onto victory.
(Date of play c 1597)