Act II, Scene i of Richard II opens at Ely House, where John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, lies on his deathbed. Gaunt speaks to the Duke of York about his hope that Richard II will come to hear his dying words, believing that a dying man’s counsel carries special weight and that Richard may finally heed advice he has long ignored. Gaunt laments the state of England under Richard’s rule, grieving over the king’s reckless spending, his surrounding himself with flatterers, and his selling off of royal lands and revenues. When Richard arrives with his queen and attendants, Gaunt delivers his famous rebuke directly to the king, condemning him for bringing shame upon England and upon the legacy of his grandfather, Edward III. Richard responds with cold contempt, and when Gaunt is carried off and shortly thereafter reported dead, Richard immediately moves to seize all of Gaunt’s wealth and property to fund his military campaign in Ireland.

The remaining lords — York, Northumberland, Ross, and Willoughby — react to Richard’s seizure of Gaunt’s estate with growing alarm and indignation. York confronts Richard directly, warning him that by unlawfully taking Gaunt’s lands — which by right should pass to Gaunt’s exiled son, Henry Bolingbroke — Richard is undermining the very laws of inheritance that secure his own crown. Richard dismisses York’s counsel and departs for Ireland, leaving York as Lord Governor of England in his absence. Once the king has gone, Northumberland reveals to Ross and Willoughby that Bolingbroke is already sailing from France with a force of men, intending to return to England and reclaim his rightful inheritance. The three men agree to join Bolingbroke’s cause, setting in motion the rebellion that will ultimately challenge Richard’s reign.

Richard II opens with King Richard presiding over a dispute between Henry Bolingbroke (John of Gaunt’s son) and Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk. Both men accuse each other of treason, and when Richard cannot reconcile them, he arranges a trial by combat. However, just as the combat is about to begin, Richard stops the fight and banishes both men from England - Mowbray for life and Bolingbroke for six years, later reduced to four.

When John of Gaunt falls ill and dies, Richard seizes his lands and wealth to fund his wars in Ireland, effectively disinheriting Bolingbroke. This act alienates the nobility, who fear their own inheritances are now at risk. While Richard departs for his Irish campaign, Bolingbroke returns from exile with an army, ostensibly to reclaim his rightful inheritance. He quickly gains support from discontented nobles, including the Duke of York, who was left as regent in Richard’s absence.

Richard returns from Ireland to find his support has collapsed and his army has dispersed. After a series of encounters, including a pivotal scene at Flint Castle where Richard realizes his situation is hopeless, he agrees to abdicate. In a formal ceremony at Westminster, Richard hands over his crown to Bolingbroke, who becomes King Henry IV. Richard is imprisoned in Pomfret Castle, where he is eventually murdered by Sir Pierce Exton, who believes he is carrying out Henry’s wishes. The play ends with Henry expressing regret over Richard’s death and vowing to journey to the Holy Land to atone for his indirect role in the former king’s murder.