2-705-245 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Death of Richard II.', 1400, (late 18th century), (mid 19th century). Engraving after a painting made c1792, depicting a possible scenario for the death of King Richard II of England (1367-1400). The scene was influenced by Shakespeare's play "Richard II", and shows the king swinging an axe, having killed two men. He is about to hit another just as Sir Piers Exton strikes. In 1399 Richard was captured at Flint Castle in Wales before being taken to the Tower of London where he was forced to abdicate by Henry Bolingbroke, who declared himself King Henry IV. Richard was then imprisoned in Pontefract Castle where he either starved to death or was murdered early in 1400. [John Tallis & Company, London & New York]