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King of England from 1377, effectively from
1389, son of Edward the Black Prince. He
reigned in conflict with Parliament; they
executed some of his associates 1388 and he
some of the opposing barons 1397, whereupon
he made himself absolute. Two years later,
forced to abdicate in favour of Henry IV, he
was jailed and probably assassinated. Richard
was born in Bordeaux. He succeeded his
grandfather Edward III when only ten, the
government being in the hands of a council of
regency. His fondness for favourites resulted
in conflicts with Parliament, and in 1388 the
baronial party headed by the Duke of
Gloucester had many of his friends executed.
Richard recovered control 1389, and ruled
moderately until 1397, when he had Gloucester
murdered and his other leading opponents
executed or banished, and assumed absolute
power. In 1399 his cousin Henry Bolingbroke,
Duke of Hereford (later Henry IV), returned
from exile to lead a revolt; Richard II was
deposed by Parliament and imprisoned in
Pontefract Castle, where he died
mysteriously. In 1399 his cousin Henry
Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford (later Henry
IV), returned from exile to lead a revolt;
Richard II was deposed by Parliament and
imprisoned in Pontefract Castle, where he
died mysteriously.