Act II, Scene i of Richard II opens with John of Gaunt, the aging Duke of Lancaster, arriving at Ely House gravely ill and near death. He is accompanied by the Duke of York, and Gaunt expresses his hope that he might have one final opportunity to speak words of wisdom to his nephew, King Richard II, before he dies. York cautions Gaunt that Richard is unlikely to heed such counsel, but Gaunt remains determined to make his voice heard. When Richard arrives with his queen, attendants, and various nobles, Gaunt delivers his famous speech lamenting the state of England, describing it as a once-great kingdom now brought low by Richard’s reckless governance. Richard, unmoved and angered by his uncle’s criticism, responds with cold contempt. Gaunt is then carried off, and shortly thereafter a messenger arrives to announce that Gaunt has died.

Following Gaunt’s death, Richard immediately seizes the opportunity to claim the Lancaster estates and treasury for the crown, ignoring the legal rights of Gaunt’s exiled son, Henry Bolingbroke. The Duke of York protests this seizure forcefully, warning Richard that he is violating the very laws of inheritance that give Richard himself the right to sit on the throne. Richard dismisses York’s objections and departs, leaving several nobles behind — including Northumberland, Ross, and Willoughby — who speak openly among themselves about their grievances against Richard’s misrule. Northumberland then reveals that Bolingbroke is already sailing back to England with an armed force, and the three men agree to join his cause, setting the stage for the conflict to come.

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.