Act IV, Scene i of Richard II takes place in Westminster Hall, where Bolingbroke presides over a session of Parliament. The scene opens with a heated dispute between Bagot and Aumerle, in which Bagot accuses Aumerle of having boasted about his desire to see Gloucester dead and of opposing Bolingbroke’s return from exile. Aumerle denies the charges and throws down his gage in challenge. Several other lords follow suit, also throwing down their gages against Aumerle, accusing him of various treacheries. Bolingbroke attempts to manage the chaos, and Fitzwater, Percy, and another lord all add their challenges to the pile. The dispute is temporarily set aside when it is announced that the banished Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray, cannot be summoned to answer the charges against him, as he has died abroad in Venice. The Bishop of Carlisle delivers a eulogy for Mowbray and praises his service in the Crusades.

The scene then shifts dramatically when Bolingbroke calls for Richard to be brought before Parliament so that he may formally abdicate the crown. Richard enters and delivers a deeply emotional and extended speech as he physically transfers the crown to Bolingbroke, famously holding it between them while reflecting on his loss of identity, power, and kingship. He asks for a mirror so that he may look upon his own face, then shatters it, using the broken glass as a metaphor for his shattered rule. Richard formally renounces his claim to the throne and is taken away to the Tower of London. The Bishop of Carlisle, who has protested the deposition on the grounds that no subject may judge a king, is arrested for treason by the Earl of Northumberland. The scene closes with Bolingbroke announcing that his coronation will take place on the following Wednesday, while the Abbot of Westminster quietly conspires with Carlisle and Aumerle to undo what has been done.

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.