3-056-959 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Richard II's empty throne, Westminster Hall, London, 30 September 1399, (c1400). Richard was captured and forced to abdicate by Henry Bolingbroke, (later King Henry IV). Here, the lords of parliament assemble around an empty throne to accept Richard's resignation. Henry then seated himself on the throne. This miniature from a manuscript of an account of the fall of Richard by Jean Creton, a member of his retinue, demonstrates the central role of parliament in this political crisis, and its enhanced prestige and power by the end of the 14th century.