INTRODUCTION.

position.

THOUGH first published in 1597, Richard the Second was Date of Com-
probably written as early as 1593 or 1594. In the
two first issues, that portion of the fourth Act which
deals with the deposition of Richard, is not found. In
the edition of 1608 it appears with the words on the
title page,
"With new additions of the Parliament
Scene, and the deposing of King Richard." That these
additions belonged to the play as originally con-
ructed seems more than probable from the strong like-
ness they bear in every respect to the rest of the play;
and their omission in the earlier editions, and possibly in
the earlier representations, may be accounted for by the
subject of deposition being one peculiarly offensive to
Elizabeth, whose lieges had in 1596 been exhorted by the
Pope to take up arms against her. Whether our play
was the one which the accomplices of Essex procured to
be acted in February, 1601, in furtherance of the insur-
rection they had planned, cannot be certainly decided,
but the balance of probabilities seems against such a
supposition.

Details.

From the actual facts of history Shakespeare has made Historical only one important deviation, that of representing the Queen as fully grown up, though she was in reality only some twelve years old. This deviation was of course

vii

intentional and for dramatic purposes. In other matters
he closely follows Holinshed, except that for the same
purposes he represents Prince Henry as something older,
and Bolingbroke as something younger, than they respect
ively were. The period with which our play deals is
only the last two years of Richard's reign, but a
glance at his earlier days will enable us more clearly
to understand the circumstances which led to his down-
fall. Though Richard ascended the throne in 1377
-being then only eleven years old-it was not till 1389
that he began to govern in reality. The intervening
years had been troublous times in many ways. The
French had harassed the southern coasts of England, and
afterwards landed a force in Scotland to co-operate with
the Scotch; Lollardism was making itself widely and
acutely felt; the miserable condition of the lower card
of society culminated in a peasant revolt; and for
through the instrumentality of his uncle, the Dut
Gloucester, Richard was deprived of all power by the
appointment of a commission of regency. Asserting
himself at last, he dismissed his Council; and for the
next eight years ruled wisely and successfully. Peace
was made with France; Ireland was quieted; the Lollard
troubles died out; and the authority of Parliament was
respected. But Richard had never forgotten the treat-
ment he had suffered at the hands of his uncle and the
associate Lords. With the help of Parliament, he was at
length enabled to wreak his vengeance upon them; and,
free from their opposition, he next determined to free
himself of Parliamentary control. With this object he
procured the appointment by Parliament of a Committee
empowered "to continue their sittings after its dissolu-
tion, and to 'examine and determine all matters and