The Shakespeare Book

94

T

he play opens with an

accusation of treason

made by Bolingbroke

against Mowbray. The latter stands

accused of murdering the Duke

of Gloucester, but John of Gaunt

suspects that King Richard himself

is implicated in the murder. Richard

banishes Bolingbroke for 10 years,

later commuted to six, but Mowbray

is permanently exiled.

Bolingbroke wins popular

sympathy as he leaves, while

Richard alienates the people by

levying high taxes. When Gaunt

dies, Richard seizes all the land

RICHARD II

and wealth that by rights should

pass to Gaunt’s son, Bolingbroke.

The nobles Ross, Willoughby, and

Northumberland agree to meet

Bolingbroke, who is to arrive back

on English shores with an army.

While Richard is quelling a

rebellion in Ireland, the Queen is

comforted by Bushy, Bagot, and

Green. Then news is heard of

Bolingbroke’s return and the nobles’

desertion. York, whom Richard left

in charge, prepares for their attack.

At Berkeley Castle, York accuses

Bolingbroke of treason. Bolingbroke

insists that he was banished as

DRAMATIS

PERSONAE

King Richard II The rightful

king of England.

John of Gaunt Duke of

Lancaster, Bolingbroke’s father,

and Richard II’s uncle.

Harry Bolingbroke

Duke of Hereford, later King

Henry IV by usurpation,

cousin to Richard.

Thomas Mowbray Duke

of Norfolk and Richard’s ally,

later banished for his quarrel

with Bolingbroke.

Duke of Aumerle Duke of

York’s son, ally of Richard.

Duke of York Richard’s uncle,

and regent in his absence.

Queen Isabel Richard’s wife.

Duchess of York The Duke

of York’s wife.

Earl of Northumberland

An ally of Bolingbroke.

Bushy, Green, and Bagot

Richard’s followers, who are

blamed for his bad policies.

Ross, Fitzwalter, and

Willoughby Lords who join

Bolingbroke’s side.

Earl of Salisbury,

Bishop of Carlisle

Supporters of Richard.

Harry Percy

Northumberland’s son, also

known as Hotspur.

Abbot of Westminster He

joins a plot against Henry IV,

but dies before he is arrested.

Sir Piers Exton

Richard’s murderer.

Act 1 Act 2

2.1

2.2

1.1

1.3

2.3

When John of Gaunt

dies, Richard seizes

Bolingbroke’s

inheritance and then

leaves for Ireland. The

disgusted nobles

prepare to meet

Bolingbroke who is

returning to England.

Bolingbroke accuses

Mowbray of treason

before the King and they

challenge one another to

single combat.

Richard interrupts the

trial by combat between

Mowbray and Bolingbroke,

and banishes them.

York is heavily

outnumbered and

allows Bolingbroke and

his troops to enter

Berkeley Castle.

The Duke of York

tries to raise an

army in the King’s

absence. Bushy,

Bagot, and Green try

to save themselves.