The Death of John of Gaunt and the Exile of Henry Bolingbroke (1399)

On February 3, 1399, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, died of natural causes at Leicester Castle, with his third wife, Katherine Swynford, by his side. By this time, his reputation—once tarnished by political controversies—had been largely restored due to his dedication to the stability of the kingdom in his final years.

However, his death triggered a succession crisis, as King Richard II took drastic measures to prevent Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, from inheriting his lands and titles, ultimately leading to Richard’s downfall.

I. Richard II’s Decision to Disinherit Henry Bolingbroke

• As John of Gaunt’s eldest surviving son, Henry Bolingbroke was expected to inherit the Duchy of Lancaster automatically through legal provisions known as "entail".
• Instead of honoring these rights, Richard II extended Bolingbroke’s exile to life and revoked the legal documents that ensured Henry’s inheritance.
• This meant that Henry would have to formally request his father’s lands from the king, a move designed to weaken Bolingbroke’s position and consolidate royal control over the vast Lancastrian estates.
• Richard felt secure in this decision, as Henry was in exile in Paris, and the French showed little interest in interfering due to their peace policy with England.

II. Richard II’s Absence and the Changing Political Landscape in France

• In May 1399, Richard departed for Ireland on another military campaign, leaving the kingdom in a politically vulnerable state.
• In June 1399, Louis, Duke of Orléans, gained influence over the French court and the insane King Charles VI, effectively controlling French foreign policy.
• Unlike his predecessor, Louis opposed rapprochement with England, as it did not align with his political ambitions in France.

III. Henry Bolingbroke’s Return to England

• Recognizing an opportunity to destabilize Richard II, Louis of Orléans allowed Henry Bolingbroke to leave France for England.
• After initial hesitation, Henry met with Thomas Arundel, the exiled former Archbishop of Canterbury, who had been banished for his involvement with the Lords Appellant.
• Arundel’s support was crucial, as he provided clerical legitimacy and noble backing for Henry’s return.

IV. Consequences and the Road to Richard’s Deposition

• Henry’s return to England in June–July 1399 quickly gained him widespread support, especially from nobles discontented with Richard’s rule.
• The disinheritance of Bolingbroke alienated many members of the nobility, who saw Richard’s actions as unlawful and autocratic.
• With Richard absent in Ireland, Henry’s invasion was almost unopposed, leading to his eventual seizure of the throne as Henry IV in September 1399.

V. Legacy of the Crisis

• The confiscation of the Lancaster estates and Bolingbroke’s exile were major miscalculations on Richard II’s part, costing him the throne.
• Louis of Orléans’ decision to allow Henry’s return had far-reaching consequences, indirectly leading to the establishment of the Lancastrian dynasty in England.
• Richard’s downfall marked the end of direct Plantagenet rule, ushering in the Wars of the Roses (1455–1487)in the following decades.

The death of John of Gaunt in 1399 set off a chain reaction that ultimately led to the overthrow of Richard II, highlighting the fragility of royal authority and the consequences of alienating powerful noble families.