# Richard II — Character guide

> Key figures in Richard II by William Shakespeare.

- [King Richard II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/king_richard_ii.md): The titular king, whose reign is challenged by Bolingbroke, leading to his deposition and death.
- [Henry Bolingbroke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/henry_bolingbroke.md): Richard's cousin who returns from exile to claim the throne, becoming King Henry IV.
- [John of Gaunt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/john_of_gaunt.md): Duke of Lancaster, Richard's uncle, who delivers a famous deathbed prophecy against Richard's rule.
- [Thomas Mowbray](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/thomas_mowbray.md): Duke of Norfolk, banished by Richard after accusing Bolingbroke of treason.
- [Duke of Aumerle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/aumerle.md): Duke of Aumerle, a loyalist to Richard who later conspires against Bolingbroke.
- [Earl of Northumberland](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/northumberland.md): Nobleman who shifts allegiance from Richard to Bolingbroke, delivering key messages.
- [Henry Percy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/henry_percy.md): Hotspur, Northumberland's son, a fiery young nobleman supporting Bolingbroke.
- [Duchess of Gloucester](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/duchess_of_gloucester.md): Widow of Thomas of Gloucester, who urges Gaunt to avenge her husband's murder.
- [Duke of York](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/duke_of_york.md): Richard's uncle, appointed Lord Governor, torn between loyalty to Richard and Bolingbroke.
- [Duchess of York](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/duchess_of_york.md): York's wife, who pleads for her son Aumerle's life before Bolingbroke.
- [Queen Isabel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/queen_richard.md): Richard's queen, who sorrowfully parts from him before his imprisonment.
- [Sir John Bushy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/bushy.md): A favorite of Richard, executed by Bolingbroke for treason.
- [Sir Henry Green](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/green.md): A favorite of Richard, executed alongside Bushy by Bolingbroke.
- [Sir William Bagot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/bagot.md): A favorite of Richard who later testifies against Aumerle.
- [Earl of Salisbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/earl_of_salisbury.md): A nobleman loyal to Richard, who brings news of Welsh defection.
- [Earl of Berkeley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/earl_of_berkeley.md): Nobleman who meets Bolingbroke at Berkeley Castle.
- [Lord Ross](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/lord_ross.md): Nobleman who joins Bolingbroke's rebellion against Richard.
- [Lord Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/lord_willoughby.md): Nobleman who joins Bolingbroke's rebellion against Richard.
- [Bishop of Carlisle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/bishop_of_carlisle.md): A loyal bishop who prophesies civil war after Richard's deposition.
- [Duke of Surrey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/duke_of_surrey.md): Nobleman loyal to Richard, accused of treason by Fitzwater.
- [Lord Fitzwater](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/lord_fitzwater.md): Nobleman who accuses Aumerle of Gloucester's murder.
- [Sir Pierce of Exton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/sir_pierce_of_exton.md): Knight who murders Richard II in prison, believing it pleases Bolingbroke.
- [Sir Stephen Scroop](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/sir_stephen_scroop.md): Loyalist who brings Richard news of Bolingbroke's growing support.
- [Gardener](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/gardener.md): Royal gardener who compares the kingdom to an untended garden.
- [Groom](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/groom.md): Former groom of Richard's stable who visits him in prison.
- [Keeper](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/keeper.md): Prison keeper who brings Richard his food and is attacked by him.
- [Lord Marshal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/lord_marshal.md): Official who oversees the trial by combat between Mowbray and Bolingbroke.
- [Duke of Gloucester](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/duke_of_gloucester.md): Murdered uncle of Richard, whose death drives the Duchess's plea for vengeance.
- [Earl of Glendower](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/earl_of_glendower.md): Welsh leader mentioned as joining the rebellion against Bolingbroke.
- [Earl of Worcester](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/earl_of_worcester.md): Nobleman briefly mentioned in the context of the Percy rebellion.
- [Edward](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/edward.md): Likely a reference to Edward III, Richard's grandfather, mentioned in lineage.
- [Mary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/mary.md): Likely Mary de Bohun, Bolingbroke's wife, mentioned in passing.
- [Earl of Rutland](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/rutland.md): Another title for Aumerle, used in the deposition scene.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/characters