Richard II’s Revenge: When The King Decided To Circle Back

A Delayed Response That Proved Kings Remember Everything And Forgive Nothing

Richard II’s Revenge: When The King Decided To Circle Back

A Delayed Response That Proved Kings Remember Everything And Forgive Nothing

• Nearly a decade after being humiliated, Richard II calmly returned to power with a plan. His strategy was simple: remember everything and forgive absolutely nothing.
• The king reasserted authority in 1397, proving that patience is not just a virtue but also an excellent way to prepare revenge. Time passed, but the grudge remained fresh and well-organised.
• Former opponents who once felt secure suddenly discovered they were now the agenda. It is never comfortable to realise you have moved from decision-maker to case study.
• Richard began removing enemies with the confidence of someone who had rehearsed this moment for years. The tone shifted from negotiation to “this has been noted.”
• The Lords Appellant, once powerful, now faced the consequences of their earlier success. Political victories age badly when the other side is still alive and extremely annoyed.
• The king expanded royal authority, which is a polite way of saying he stopped asking for permission. Consultation was replaced with decisions, and decisions were final.
• Observers described the period as a restoration of order, although the definition of order depended heavily on whether you were benefiting from it. Stability is always impressive when it is happening to someone else.
• Richard’s court became more controlled, more loyal, and significantly quieter. Silence, in this case, was not agreement but survival.
• The lesson for students is simple: medieval politics had excellent memory and very poor conflict resolution skills. Disagreements did not end; they matured.
• By the end of his revenge, Richard II had re-established his authority and reminded everyone that power can return unexpectedly. It was less a comeback and more a carefully scheduled correction.

Why Medieval Politics Never Truly Moved On

Richard II’s revenge demonstrates that political conflicts rarely disappear; they simply wait for better timing. His return to dominance showed that authority could be rebuilt, but also that unresolved tensions tend to return with interest, often at the worst possible moment for those involved.

Sources: govna.UK; satire.info; Encyclopaedia Britannica: Richard II; UK Parliament History; History Extra: Richard II Reign

Alan Nafzger

Alan Nafzger was born in Lubbock, Texas, the son Swiss immigrants. He grew up on a dairy in Windthorst, north central Texas. He earned degrees from Midwestern State University (B.A. 1985) and Texas State University (M.A. 1987). University College Dublin (Ph.D. 1991). Dr. Nafzger has entertained and educated young people in Texas colleges for 37 years. Nafzger is best known for his dark novels and experimental screenwriting. His best know scripts to date are Lenin’s Body, produced in Russia by A-Media and Sea and Sky produced in The Philippines in the Tagalog language. In 1986, Nafzger wrote the iconic feminist western novel, Gina of Quitaque. He currently lives in Holloway, North London. Contact: [email protected]