Original: As I was banish’d, I was banish’d Hereford;
Modern: When I was exiled, I was exiled as just Hereford;

Original: But as I come, I come for Lancaster.
Modern: But now that I’m back, I’m returning to claim my title as Lancaster.

Original: And, noble uncle, I beseech your grace
Modern: And, noble uncle, I beg you

Original: Look on my wrongs with an indifferent eye:
Modern: To look at the injustices done to me with an impartial eye:

Original: You are my father, for methinks in you
Modern: You are like a father to me, because I think that in you

Original: I see old Gaunt alive; O, then, my father,
Modern: I see my father Gaunt alive again; so then, as my father figure,

Original: Will you permit that I shall stand condemn’d
Modern: Will you allow me to remain condemned

Original: A wandering vagabond; my rights and royalties
Modern: As a homeless wanderer; my rights and royal properties

Original: Pluck’d from my arms perforce and given away
Modern: Torn away from me by force and handed over

Original: To upstart unthrifts? Wherefore was I born?
Modern: To reckless newcomers who waste everything? Why was I even born?

Original: If that my cousin king be King of England,
Modern: If my cousin the king is truly King of England,

Original: It must be granted I am Duke of Lancaster.
Modern: Then it must be acknowledged that I am the Duke of Lancaster.

Original: You have a son, Aumerle, my noble cousin;
Modern: You have a son, Aumerle, my noble cousin;

Original: Had you first died, and he been thus trod down,
Modern: If you had died first, and he had been trampled on like this,

Original: He should have found his uncle Gaunt a father,
Modern: He would have found that his uncle Gaunt was like a father to him,

Original: To rouse his wrongs and chase them to the bay.
Modern: Ready to fight against these injustices and corner them like hunted animals.

Original: I am denied to sue my livery here,
Modern: I’m being prevented from claiming my inherited lands here,

Original: And yet my letters-patents give me leave:
Modern: Even though my official legal documents give me permission:

Original: My father’s goods are all distrain’d and sold,
Modern: My father’s property has all been seized and sold off,

Original: And these and all are all amiss employ’d.
Modern: And all of this has been wrongly misused.

Original: What would you have me do? I am a subject,
Modern: What do you expect me to do? I am a loyal subject,

Original: And I challenge law: attorneys are denied me;
Modern: And I’m appealing to the law: but lawyers are being refused to me;

Original: And therefore, personally I lay my claim
Modern: And therefore, I’m making my claim in person

Original: To my inheritance of free descent.
Modern: To the inheritance that is rightfully mine by birth.

In Act II, Scene iii of Richard II, Henry Bolingbroke encounters the Duke of York at Berkeley Castle upon his return from exile. York, who has been left as regent in King Richard’s absence, confronts Bolingbroke about his unauthorized return to England and his gathering of armed forces. Bolingbroke explains that he has come only to reclaim his rightful inheritance as Duke of Lancaster, which King Richard had seized following the death of Bolingbroke’s father, John of Gaunt. York finds himself in a difficult position, torn between his duty to the crown and his recognition that Bolingbroke has been wronged.

The scene progresses as various nobles, including the Earl of Northumberland and others, join Bolingbroke’s cause. York, despite his initial protests, gradually becomes less resistant to Bolingbroke’s presence and claims. The scene establishes the growing momentum behind Bolingbroke’s return and highlights York’s internal conflict between loyalty to Richard and acknowledgment of the injustices committed against Bolingbroke. By the scene’s end, it becomes clear that Bolingbroke has gained significant support among the nobility, setting the stage for the political upheaval that will follow.

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.