ign was unpopular
with all classes. The people hated him for his extravagance; the
clergy, for failing to put down the Wycliffites (SS254, 255), with the
doctrines of whose founder he was believed to sympathize; while the
nobles disliked his injustice and favoritism.

[3] W. Stubb's "Constitutional History of England," II, 505.

In the "Merciless Parliament" (1388) the "Lords Appellant," that is,
the noblemen who accused Richard's counselors of treason, put to death
all of the King's ministers that they could lay hands on. Later, that
Parliament attempted some political reforms, which were partially
successful. But the King soon regained his power, and took summary
vengeance (1397) on the "Lords Appellant." Two influential men were
left, Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, and Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of
Hereford, whom he had found no opportunity to punish. After a time
they openly quarreled, and accused each other of treason.

A challenge passed between them, and they prepared to fight the matter
out in the King's presence; but when the day arrived, the King
banished both of them from England (1398). Shortly after they had
left the country Bolingbroke's father, John of Gaunt, Duke of
Lancaster, died. Contrary to all law, Richard now seized and
appropriated the estate, which belonged by right to the banished
nobleman.

257. Richard deposed and murdered. (1399).

When Bolingbroke, now by his father's death Duke of Lancaster, heard
of the outrage, he raised a small force and returned to England,
demanding the restitution of his lands.

Finding that the powerful family of the Percies were willing to aid
him, and that many of the common people desired a change of
government, the Duke boldly claimed the crown, on the ground that
Richard had forfeited it by his tyranny, and that he stood next in
succession through his descent from Henry III. But in reality Henry
Bolingbroke had no claim save that given by right of conquest, since
the boy Edmund Mortimer held the direct title to the crown.[1]

[1] See Genealogical Table, under No. 3 and 4, p. 140

The King now fell into Henry's hands, and events moved rapidly to a
crisis. Richard had rebuilt Westminster Hall (S156). The first
Parliament which assembled there deposed him on the ground that he was
"altogether insufficient and unworthy," and they gave the throne to
the victorious Duke of Lancaster. Shakespeare represents the fallen
monarch saying in his humiliati