History of the English People, Volume III The Parliament, 1399-1461; The Monarchy 1461-1540

The narrative opens amid the crisis of 1399, when the Tower’s walls become the stage for a dramatic transfer of power. Parliament, convened in late September, formally accepts Richard II’s resignation and proceeds through a solemn Act of Deposition, laying the legal groundwork for a new monarch. Henry of Lancaster steps forward, invoking his lineage from Henry III and positioning his claim as a restoration of lawful governance sanctioned by the realm’s estates.

In the early years of Henry IV’s reign, the king continuously re‑affirms his commitment to the “good laws and customs” that Parliament upholds, while navigating the delicate balance between royal authority and legislative oversight. His administration is marked by cautious compliance with parliamentary wishes, yet it also confronts the growing religious dissent that will later stir the Lollard controversy. This opening segment sets the scene for a period where the English Parliament begins to assert a decisive role in shaping the kingdom’s political and spiritual landscape.