Coins » Hammered Coins » Richard II (1377 - 1399 AD)

Plantagenet Kings (1154 – 1399 AD)

Richard II (1377 – 1399 AD)
Richard came to power during a period of instability cased by the aftermath of the Black Death and the consequent Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. He was supported as the heir to his grandfather, Edward III, in order to curtail the power of his uncle, John of Gaunt. Richard negotiated with Wat Tyler, the peasants’ leader in person, but later reneged on the agreement and hunted down the remnants of the peasant forces. This seems to have emboldened the king in his belief in the absolute power of monarchy. John of Gaunt was marginalized and left to pursue his claim to the throne of Castille in 1386.

The French king out manoeuvred Richard’s attempts to secure a European ally with which the longstanding war might be brought to a conclusion, and the threat of French invasion loomed. Increased taxation to meet the cost of defence was proposed but rejected; the tensions at court resulted in an attempt to suppress the power of parliament, which failed and led to the exile or execution of some of the king’s supporters. The return of John of Gaunt in 1389 proved crucial in reconciling the king and the barons, and military success in Ireland boosted public morale. However, the family of John of Gaunt and his son Henry, Earl of Derby, was a rallying point for opposition to the king. In 1399 John died and Richard permanently exiled his son, Henry, who sailed for France. When Richard undertook a punitive expedition to Ireland, Henry seized the initiative and returned to England to rally support against the king. By the time of Richard’s return, his cause was lost and he surrendered to Henry in return for his life being spared.

Henry imprisoned Richard in the Tower of London, where he died in 1400. With him, the House of Plantagenet ended.

Richard II ‘London Mint’ Halfpenny 022261

£60.00 GBP

Richard II ‘London Mint’ Long Cross Halfpenny 022997

£35.00 GBP