The minority government of Richard II marked a crucial transitional phase in late medieval England, defined by regency councils, financial difficulty, and competing aristocratic influence.

England in 1377

Richard II was crowned in June 1377, aged only ten, following the death of his grandfather, Edward III. His father, the Black Prince, had died the year before, leaving the young Richard as heir. England at this point faced several major challenges:

• Ongoing Hundred Years’ War with France, draining royal finances.

• Rising taxation pressures on the commons, fuelling discontent.

• Outbreaks of plague and famine, causing economic disruption and population decline.

• Growing influence of powerful magnates, particularly John of Gaunt, who was viewed with suspicion.
  
  

Map of England and its thirty largest cities in 1377. It helps students situate political authority, population centres, and logistical constraints relevant to taxation and governance under a minority government. Source

Although Richard was formally king, effective authority lay with others until he reached maturity. This reality shaped the fragile political order of his early reign.

The Coronation of Richard II

Richard’s coronation at Westminster Abbey was significant for reinforcing the sacred nature of kingship despite his minority. Important features included:

• The anointing ceremony, which emphasised divine approval of his kingship.

• Use of royal regalia to project continuity with Edward III.

• Attendance of major nobles, projecting unity, though rivalry lurked beneath.

Illumination of Richard II enthroned immediately after his coronation, surrounded by bishops and courtiers. The image reinforces the sacral nature of kingship central to late-medieval coronations. Although produced later in the fifteenth century, it depicts the ritual context discussed in this subsubtopic. Source

The coronation helped to stabilise the regime symbolically. However, real political power had to be organised through institutions that could govern in Richard’s stead.

The Importance of Symbolism

Richard’s coronation deliberately emphasised monarchical legitimacy:

• Ritual was used to elevate the boy-king above factional conflict.

• It projected the image that Richard was God’s anointed ruler, despite his age.

• The act reassured the commons and nobility that continuity of rule would prevail.

The Rule of the Councils

During Richard’s minority, the realm was governed by a series of Councils of Regency rather than by a single regent. Parliament had rejected John of Gaunt’s claim to sole authority, partly due to his unpopularity, and instead endorsed collective governance.

The First Councils

Key features of the councils included:

• Composed of bishops, nobles, and royal officials, designed to balance rival interests.

• Responsible for managing finances, law, and foreign policy.

• Meant to act in the king’s name, preserving his authority.

This system reflected a desire to prevent the concentration of power in one magnate’s hands. The councils were, however, often inefficient and divided.

Tensions within the Councils

The councils had to navigate serious difficulties:

• Financial crisis: Wars with France required funds, but taxation was deeply resented.

• Factional rivalry: Magnates such as John of Gaunt and Thomas of Woodstock manoeuvred for influence.

• Royal household expenditure: Maintaining the dignity of the monarchy was costly, exacerbating discontent in Parliament.

Although designed to preserve collective governance, the councils frequently became paralysed by factional disputes.

Relations with Parliament

Parliament played a crucial role in scrutinising the councils:

• It granted taxation but expected accountability from councillors.

• Criticism of mismanagement was frequent, particularly concerning military failures in France.

• Councils had to justify their actions, creating tension between governance and parliamentary oversight.

Interior of the Chapter House, Westminster Abbey, an octagonal meeting space used for royal councils and, at points in the 1370s, sessions of the House of Commons. The image demonstrates the architectural setting for collective governance during Richard’s minority; decorative details visible are not required by the syllabus. Source

This early emphasis on parliamentary scrutiny would become a recurring feature of Richard’s reign.

Challenges Facing Minority Rule

The years 1377–1380 were marked by overlapping pressures:

• Foreign policy: Ongoing campaigns in France drained resources and exposed weaknesses in leadership.

• Domestic discontent: Commons grew increasingly hostile to taxation.

• Religious debate: The teachings of John Wycliffe began to attract attention, though these developed more in the later 1370s.

The councils lacked the authority of a monarch acting personally, meaning their decisions often struggled to command respect.

Political Culture of the Minority

• The minority government emphasised collective responsibility, but magnates often placed personal interests above national stability.

• Patronage and offices were used to reward allies, sparking resentment among excluded groups.

• Richard’s own upbringing at court was shaped by these dynamics, influencing his later views on kingship and authority.

Richard’s exposure to factional disputes during his minority shaped his later suspicion of magnates and his preference for personal rule.

The End of Minority Councils

By 1380, Richard II began to take a more active role, though still under significant influence from advisers. The councils gradually faded in importance as:

• Richard developed his own concept of kingship, emphasising divine authority.

• Tensions over taxation and war required more decisive leadership.

• His circle of favourites, rather than collective councils, began to shape policy.

This transition marked the end of the minority period and set the stage for the personal rule of Richard II, with its own challenges and conflicts.