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Home / Historical Periods / Plantagenet England / Reign of Richard II

Phase

Reign of Richard II

1377–1399 CE

Richard II became king in 1377 at the age of ten. Government during his minority was shaped by royal councils, taxation for war with France and the influence of his uncle John of Gaunt, while London’s political and commercial institutions guarded their own privileges.

The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 exposed resentment over taxation, labour controls and lordship. Later conflicts between Richard and the Lords Appellant were followed by a period of increasingly personal kingship, ending when Henry Bolingbroke returned from exile and deposed him in 1399.

This context supports the Brother Athelstan and Canterbury Tales mysteries, as well as fiction about London, royal administration, popular rebellion, war finance and the political tensions of Richard II’s reign.

Related people for Reign of Richard II

Edward, the Black Prince1330–1376 Edward III of England1312–1377 Elizabeth Mortimer1371–1417 Geoffrey Chaucer1343–1400 Henry IV of England1367–1413 Henry Percy (Hotspur)1364–1403 John of Gaunt1340–1399 Katherine Swynford1350–1403 Philippa Roet1346–1387 Richard II1367–c. 1400

Series

Series about Reign of Richard II (2 series)

Brother Athelstan Mysteries in Order

by Paul Doherty 18 books 4.5

The Brother Athelstan Mysteries are set in London during the minority and early reign of Richard II. Athelstan is a Dominican friar serving the poor parish of St Erconwald’s in Southwark, while Sir John Cranston is the city coroner. Their investigations move between taverns, churches, guild halls, royal…

Books

30 Best Novels About the Reign of Richard II

Bestselling authors first, then star rating.

Non Fiction

1 Non-Fiction Book About the Reign of Richard II

Histories, biographies and reference works are listed separately from the historical novels above.