Background
The origins of the conflict can be found in the family of Edward III (1327-77). Edward
had five sons who lived to adulthood. They were, in order of birth, Edward Prince of Wales
(known to later generations as the "Black Prince"), Lionel of Antwerp (Duke of
Clarence), John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster), Edmund of Langley (Duke of York) and Thomas
of Woodstock (Duke of Gloucester). Edward married his sons into the some of the most
powerful and wealthy families in England, thus creating a group of wealthy nobles closely
related to the king.
The Black Prince pre-deceased his father, so that when Edward died in 1377, the kingdom
was left to his grandson, the 10 year old Richard II. The kingdom was governed by a
council until the king reached the age of sixteen, when Richard began his personal rule.
Unfortunately, he proved to be a weak and ineffectual ruler who promoted and protected
"favourites" while bearing grudges and bringing down vengeance upon people he
disliked.
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| Henry IV's Usurpation |
