Page:History of the Kings and Queens of England.pdf/9

 RICHARD II., son of Edward the Black Prince, was born January 6, 1366; and succeeded his grandfather June 21, 1377, at 11 years of age. He was weak, vain, inconstant, and a dupe to flattery. By his imprudence he induced his subjects to take up arms against him, and after various vicissitudes he was deposed n the 30th September, 1399, and sent prisoner to Pontefract castle in Yorkshire. were he was attacked on the 4th February, 1400, by Sir Pierce Exton, and eight ruffians; and though he slew our of the assassins, he was murdered by Exton, in the 3d year of his age, and 23d of his reign.

In this reign took place the appointment of the first high admiral of England; and the discovery of Greenland.

HENRY IV., Duke of Lancaster, and son to John of Gaunt, was born in 1367, and began his reign after the deposition of Richard II., on the 30th September, 1399. He rose to the throne by peridy and rebellion; his reign was disturbed by perpetual insurrections, and is authority was established n the blood of his subjects. He performed few actions worthy of commendation: and, as the first burner of eretics, he fixed an indelible stain on his memory. He died at Westminster, March 20, 1413, in the 46th year of his age, and 14th of his reign.

In this reign Geoffrey Chaucer, the poet, died; and a plague raged in London, which swept away above 30,000 of the inhabitants.