Richard II (Penguin Monarchs)

by Laura Ashe Book 15 in the Penguin Monarchs series.

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2.5(5)

Laura Ashe presents Richard II as a king of artistic splendour, elevated ideas of monarchy and profound political insecurity. The biography follows his childhood accession, his response to the Peasants’ Revolt and his struggle to free himself from the magnates who attempted to control his government.

Richard’s later pursuit of personal rule and revenge created a brittle political order. Ashe examines his use of ceremony, patronage and royal image, then traces the decisions that allowed Henry Bolingbroke to return from exile, depose him and establish the Lancastrian dynasty.