Richard II

Richard, the only son of Edward the Black Prince and Joan of Kent, was born in 1367. When his grandfather Edward III died in 1377 Richard became king. He was only ten years old and so in the early years of his reign his uncle, John of Gaunt, was the most important figure in the government.

The unpopular Poll Tax resulted in the 1381 Peasants' Revolt. Although his dealings with the rebels impressed the barons, his refusal to honour the charters that he signed made him extremely unpopular with the peasants.

Richard also lost the support of his barons when he refused to listen to their advice. In 1387 the nobles imposed a council of eleven men to oversee royal government. This was the start of a long-drawn-out battle between Richard and the barons.

Edward, 1042-1066 William I, 1066-1087 William II, 1087-1100 Henry I, 1100-1135 Stephen, 1135-1154 Henry II, 1154-1189 Richard I, 1189-1199 John, 1199-1216 Henry III, 1216-1272 Edward I, 1272-1307 Edward II, 1307-1327 Edward III, 1327-1377 Richard II, 1377-1399 Henry IV, 1399-1413 Henry V, 1413-1422 Henry VI, 1422-1461 Edward IV, 1461-1483 Edward V, 1483-1483 Richard III, 1483-1485 Henry VII, 1485-1509 Henry VIII, 1509-1547 Edward VI, 1547-1553 Mary, 1553-1558 Elizabeth I, 1558-1603 James I, 1603-1625 Charles I, 1625-1649 Charles II, 1660-1685 James II, 1685-1688 Mary II, 1688-1694 William III, 1688-1702 Anne, 1702-1714 George I, 1714-1727 George II, 1727-1760 George III, 1760-1820 George IV, 1820-1830 William IV, 1830-1837 Victoria, 1837-1901 Edward VII, 1901-1910 George V, 1910-1936 Edward VIII, 1936 George VI, 1936-1952