1-156-598 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Richard II surrendering the crown, 1399. Richard II (1367-1400) became King of England in 1377. In 1399, while he was away in Ireland, his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, who Richard had previously banished from England, invaded and seized the crown as Henry IV. Richard was forced to abdicate and was imprisoned, initially in the Tower of London. He died, probably murdered, in Pontefract Castle, early in 1400. From the Chronicles of Jean Froissart (c1333-c1404).