Richard II., of Bordeaux.
D. He was the son of Edward the Black Prince. B. at Bordeaux, 1368. M. (1) to Anne of Bohemia, sister of the Emperor Wenceslaus; (2) to Isabella, daughter of Charles VI. of France. Deposed, Sept. 29, 1399. Said to have been murdered in Pontefract Castle, 1400. R. 22¼ years (1377 to 1399).
1379. A capitation tax, ranging from £6 13s. 4d. to 4d. per head, imposed by parliament.
1380. A capitation tax voted, of twelvepence per head, on every person above 15 years of age.
1381. Wat Tyler’s Insurrection: caused immediately by the capitation tax, and its rigorous mode of collection. The insurrection broke out in Kent under Tyler, and in Essex under Jack Straw. The rebels marched to London, and committed great excesses. Richard met them at Smithfield, where Tyler was struck down by the Lord Mayor, and slain. Several concessions were granted to the insurgents, and afterwards revoked.
1384. Death of John Wycliffe, the ‘Morning Star of the Reformation.’
This famous divine, born in 1324, held doctrines very similar to those of the Reformers of the sixteenth century: and by his efforts and those of his disciples they were extensively spread among the people. His followers were called Wycliffites, or Lollards. His writings are very numerous, but the most celebrated is his translation of the Bible into English.
1385. The Scots having made incursions in the north of England, Richard advanced against them, and burnt Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Perth, and Dundee.
1386. The king’s favourites, De Vere, duke of Ireland, and De la Pole, earl of Suffolk, removed from office, and Suffolk impeached. Richard compelled to entrust the government to a council of regency, with the duke of Gloucester, one of his uncles, at the head.