Richard II · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Richard II by William Shakespeare.
King Richard II
major
Also known as Richard, Richard of Bordeaux, King Richard Uncle, King Richard Cousin, King Richard Mowbray, King Richard Marshal, King Richard Fiend, King Richard Needs, King Richard Alack, King Richard Norfolk, King Richard Right, King Richard Thou, King Richard Whither, gentle Richard, Richard Alack
The titular king, whose reign is challenged by Bolingbroke, leading to his deposition and death.
Henry Bolingbroke
major
Also known as Harry Bolingbroke, Harry, Henry, Bolingbroke, Henry Hereford, Harry Hereford, Harry Duke of Hereford, Harry Duke, Hereford, Henry of Lancaster, Lancaster, Derby, King Bolingbroke, Bolingbroke Villain, proud Bolingbroke, The mounting Bolingbroke, Bolingbroke Whither, the Duke of Hereford, the Duke of Hereford that appeals me, Cousin of Hereford
Richard's cousin who returns from exile to claim the throne, becoming King Henry IV.
John of Gaunt
supporting
Also known as Gaunt, old Gaunt, John a Gaunt, time-honour'd Lancaster, Exit Gaunt, Gaunt O, Gaunt Sister, King Richard Old John of Gaunt
Duke of Lancaster, Richard's uncle, who delivers a famous deathbed prophecy against Richard's rule.
Thomas Mowbray
supporting
Also known as Mowbray, Thomas, Thomas of Norfolk, King Richard Mowbray, Mowbray Yea
Duke of Norfolk, banished by Richard after accusing Bolingbroke of treason.
Duke of Aumerle
supporting
Also known as Aumerle, Percy Aumerle, Cousin Aumerle, Lord Aumerle, the Lord Aumerle, York Aumerle, Aumerle Princes, Aumerle Madam, Aumerle Northumberland, Aumerle Fitzwater, Aumerle Comfort, Comfort
Duke of Aumerle, a loyalist to Richard who later conspires against Bolingbroke.
Earl of Northumberland
supporting
Also known as Northumberland, The Lord Northumberland, my Lord Northumberland, King Richard Northumberland
Nobleman who shifts allegiance from Richard to Bolingbroke, delivering key messages.
Henry Percy
supporting
Also known as young Harry Percy, Harry, Percy, gentle Percy, Enter Henry Percy, Percy Willoughby
Hotspur, Northumberland's son, a fiery young nobleman supporting Bolingbroke.
Duchess of Gloucester
minor
Also known as Duchess, Duchess Alack, Duchess Nay
Widow of Thomas of Gloucester, who urges Gaunt to avenge her husband's murder.
Duke of York
supporting
Also known as Edmund York, stir Keeps good old York, York
Richard's uncle, appointed Lord Governor, torn between loyalty to Richard and Bolingbroke.
Duchess of York
minor
Also known as Duchess, Duchess Nay
York's wife, who pleads for her son Aumerle's life before Bolingbroke.
Queen Isabel
supporting
Also known as Queen
Richard's queen, who sorrowfully parts from him before his imprisonment.
Sir John Bushy
minor
Also known as Bushy
A favorite of Richard, executed by Bolingbroke for treason.
Sir Henry Green
minor
Also known as Green
A favorite of Richard, executed alongside Bushy by Bolingbroke.
Sir William Bagot
minor
Also known as Bagot, Bolingbroke Bagot
A favorite of Richard who later testifies against Aumerle.
Earl of Salisbury
minor
Also known as Salisbury, Lord Salisbury
A nobleman loyal to Richard, who brings news of Welsh defection.
Earl of Berkeley
minor
Also known as Berkeley, my Lord of Berkeley
Nobleman who meets Bolingbroke at Berkeley Castle.
Lord Ross
minor
Also known as Ross, the Lords of Ross, Ross The Earl of Wiltshire, Willoughby Ross
Nobleman who joins Bolingbroke's rebellion against Richard.
Lord Willoughby
minor
Also known as Willoughby, the Lords of Willoughby, Willoughby Tends
Nobleman who joins Bolingbroke's rebellion against Richard.
Bishop of Carlisle
minor
Also known as Carlisle, Carlisle Marry
A loyal bishop who prophesies civil war after Richard's deposition.
Duke of Surrey
minor
Also known as Surrey
Nobleman loyal to Richard, accused of treason by Fitzwater.
Lord Fitzwater
minor
Also known as Fitzwater, Aumerle Fitzwater
Nobleman who accuses Aumerle of Gloucester's murder.
Sir Pierce of Exton
minor
Also known as Exton, Sir Pierce of Exton
Knight who murders Richard II in prison, believing it pleases Bolingbroke.
Sir Stephen Scroop
minor
Also known as Scroop, Sir Stephen Scroop
Loyalist who brings Richard news of Bolingbroke's growing support.
Gardener
minor
Also known as Gardener
Royal gardener who compares the kingdom to an untended garden.
Groom
minor
Also known as Groom
Former groom of Richard's stable who visits him in prison.
Keeper
minor
Also known as Servant
Prison keeper who brings Richard his food and is attacked by him.
Lord Marshal
minor
Also known as Marshal, the Lord Marshal, King Richard Marshal, Marshal Harry
Official who oversees the trial by combat between Mowbray and Bolingbroke.
Duke of Gloucester
minor
Also known as Gloucester, noble Gloucester
Murdered uncle of Richard, whose death drives the Duchess's plea for vengeance.
Earl of Glendower
minor
Also known as Glendower
Welsh leader mentioned as joining the rebellion against Bolingbroke.
Earl of Worcester
minor
Also known as the Earl of Worcester
Nobleman briefly mentioned in the context of the Percy rebellion.
Edward
minor
Also known as Edward
Likely a reference to Edward III, Richard's grandfather, mentioned in lineage.
Mary
minor
Also known as Mary
Likely Mary de Bohun, Bolingbroke's wife, mentioned in passing.
Earl of Rutland
minor
Also known as Rutland
Another title for Aumerle, used in the deposition scene.
