23. The Plantagenets Could Not Get Enough of Fighting Amongst Themselves
The Plantagenet family was prone to infighting since the dynasty’s founding in the twelfth century. The dynasty survived the earlier travails of its founder having to frequently fight his wife and sons. However, it was unable to survive another bout of intra-dynastic bloodletting that began in the fourteenth century. It was triggered by the tyrannical rule of King Richard II (1367 – 1399), who was crowned when he was ten. Richard grew into a nasty teenager, and then a nastier adult. He surrounded himself with corrupt officials, and ruled in an arbitrary and capricious manner. That led to an uprising by many lords, including some of the king’s Plantagenet relatives, who seized power.
In 1386, Richard’s opponents rebelled, seized power, and formed a governing committee known as the Lords Appellant. This included members of his own family. The Lords Appellant ruled the realm and reduced Richard to a figurehead. A Parliament, which became known as the “Merciless Parliament”, was called. The Merciless Parliament impeached several of the king’s favorites, confiscated their property, and ordered their execution. Richard bided his time, and slowly rebuilt his power. Then in 1397, he struck back, reasserted his authority, and executed the most prominent Lords Appellant.
