William Shakespeare's play, Richard II, begins with Henry Bolingbroke accusing Mowbry, Duke of Norfolk of murdering Richard's uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. To settle the argument, King Richard II declares that the two will settle their differences in a trial by combat.
Whilst Bolingbroke and Norfolk are getting ready for the fight, King Richard changes his mind at the last moment and before they attack each other and banishes them both.
Soon afterward the Duke of Lancaster, Bolingbrokes's father, dies and the king takes the estates to raise much needed money to campaign against Ireland.
While the king is away in Ireland Bolingbroke returns to find Richard's nobles grumbling including the Earl of Northumberland who goes against the Duke of York who is serving as the King's regent while he is campaigning in Ireland.
When King Richard returns he discovers that Bolingbroke has reclaimed the lands taken by the king in the event of his father's death as well as dispersed Richard's army and executed a couple of them. Fearing for his own safety Richard flees to Flint Castle.
Bolingbroke gives chase and brings King Richard back to London a prisoner and in a session of Parliament Richard confesses crimes against the state which results in his losing his crown and Bolingbroke becomes King Henry IV and Richard is held prisoner in Pomfreet Castle.
While in Pomfreet Sir Pierce murders him and to atone for the death of Richard King Henry promises a crusade.
