Act 1

The play opens in King Richard's court, as Henry Bolingbroke, son of Gaunt (the Duke of Lancaster), challenges Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk.

Henry accuses Mowbray of being involved in the recent death of the King's uncle (who is also Henry's uncle; Henry and the King are cousins). Richard gives in to their demands to work out their differences in one-on-one combat at Coventry.

As the tournament begins, the uncertain and impulsive Richard stops the contest. Instead, Richard chooses to exile both Henry and Mowbray. He banishes Mowbray for life. And responding to Henry's father Lancaster's pleas, he limits Henry's exile to six years.

In line with his customary behaviour, Richard is misled by his friends into poor government of the country. Henry's father, Gaunt, dies, finally broken by his son's banishment, and by the state of the kingdom under Richard's rule. Richard takes possession of Gaunt's land and money to fund wars with Ireland. His nobles are dismayed, not only because of the waste of the kingdom's money but also for fear over the security of their own estates.

To make matters worse, Richard leaves on a military expedition to Ireland. When Henry hears that his father has died and that Richard took his inheritance, he returns from exile with an army. The commoners and nobles are already critical of Richard. They welcome Henry in the north, led by the powerful Earl of Northumberland, and his son Hotspur. Henry marches through England, gathering his willing forces.

Richard arrives back in England after the Irish war to find that his Welsh allies have dispersed. Furthermore, his Uncle, Duke of York, unable to prevent Henry's triumphant return, has joined Henry Bolingbroke instead. Others of Richard's friends have also betrayed the King's cause. Some have been executed on Henry's orders. After taking refuge at Flint castle, Richard surrenders and agrees to go to London, where the lords will decide what should happen next.

Act 2

In view of the insurrections against him, King Richard is persuaded to step down in favour of Henry Bolingbroke, now King Henry IV. Richard hands over his crown in a ceremony. Henry subsequently imprisons him in Pomfret castle.

Richard's Queen is sent home to France. Some lords join in a plot against Henry but York, the father of one of the nobles, relates their machinations to King Henry. Henry spares the son of York, but he is now aware of his tenuous position as king. What will happen next? Watch on…