95
Hereford, not as the Duke of
Lancaster, and that he has a right
to defend his inheritance. York
allows them to enter the castle.
Richard lands on the Welsh
coast and greets the land joyfully.
However, he despairs at the news
brought by messengers. At Flint
Castle, Bolingbroke demands that
Richard repeal his banishment and
restore his inheritance. Richard
appears on the battlements and
grants his request. Bolingbroke
kneels to Richard but the power
has shifted. Richard submits to
travel to London with him.
York’s son Aumerle is accused by
Bagot of plotting Gloucester’s death
and being disloyal to Bolingbroke.
Multiple challenges to fight ensue.
York announces that Richard has
named Bolingbroke his heir and is
ready to resign his throne to him.
Richard is forced publicly to
renounce the throne. He takes off
his crown and scepter but refuses
to read the charges against him.
Looking at his face in a mirror, he
comments that “A brittle glory
shineth in this face. As brittle as
the glory is the face” (4.1.277–278).
Bolingbroke has him taken to theTHE LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S MAN
Act 3 Act 4 Act 5
Tower. On the way, Richard meets
his Queen and they say goodbye.
York discovers that his son, Aumerle,
is involved in a plot against
Bolingbroke, now King Henry IV.
He betrays him to the King, but the
Duchess’s eloquence manages to
secure a pardon. Carlisle and the
other conspirators will be executed.
Sir Piers Exton murders Richard
at Pomfret Castle, and takes the
body to Bolingbroke, expecting a
reward, but the new King is deeply
ashamed of the action. He has
Exton banished, and sets off on
a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. ❯❯3.1
3.2 4.1 5.3
3.3 5.2 5.5
At Bristol Castle,
Bolingbroke has Bushy
and Green executed.Richard arrives on
the Welsh coast. He
learns that the Welsh
forces have dispersed,
that Bushy, Green, and
Wiltshire have been
executed, and that
York has joined
with Bolingbroke.Richard publicly
takes off the crown
and scepter and
invests Bolingbroke as
the new king, Henry IV.York reveals his
son’s treason to
the King, but his
wife secures a
pardon for Aumerle.Facing an
armed threat from
Bolingbroke, Richard
agrees to restore his
inheritance and puts
himself into
Bolingbroke’s
power.York discovers
that his son,
Aumerle, is
involved in a
conspiracy
against Henry IV.Exton and four servants murder
Richard at Pomfret Castle,
supposedly acting in accordance
with Henry IV’s wish.5.6
Richard’s coffin is brought
forth. Bolingbroke banishes
Exton and prepares to
journey to the Holy Land
to be absolved of his guilt.