A loyal supporter of King Richard. He plots against Bolingbroke's usurpation with the Bishop of Carlisle and the Duke of Aumerle and is eventually executed.
BAGOT
Along with Bushy and Green, he is a follower of King Richard. When Bushy and Green go to Bristol, Bagot goes to King Richard in Ireland but he later turns informer and accuses the Duke of Aumerle of being involved in the murder of the Duke of Gloucester.
BISHOP OF CARLISLE
A loyal supporter of King Richard who speaks out against Bolingbroke's usurpation of the crown and is subsequently arrested. He plots against Bolingbroke with the Duke of Aumerle and the Abbot of Westminster, however he is not executed but exiled by Bolingbroke (now King Henry IV).
BLUNT
Executed by Bolingbroke (now King Henry IV) along with the Earl of Salisbury, Spencer and Kent for treason.
BOLINGBROKE
Later King Henry IV, Bolingbroke is also called Henry (or Harry) of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby. He is the son of John of Gaunt and, like King Richard, grandson of Edward III. Unlike Richard, he is more pragmatic than poetic. He is banished by Richard for six years. After Richard confiscates the late John of Gaunt's lands, Bolingbroke returns to England with an army whilst the King is in Ireland. Bolingbroke gains the support of the common people and many of the nobles and leads a rebellion. Although he at first asserts that he only wants to reclaim what is rightfully his (John of Gaunt's estate) he ultimately usurps the throne and is crowned King Henry IV. However, he deplores Sir Piers Exton's murder of Richard and at play's end decides to lead a crusade to the Holy Land as atonement.
BUSHY
A strong supporter of King Richard, along with Bagot and Green. Bushy and Green attempt to take refuge at Bristol Castle but are captured by Bolingbroke and condemned to death for treason.
BROCAS
A "ghost character." Although he does not appear on stage, he is mentioned as being executed by Bolingbroke (now King Henry IV) along with Sir Bennet Seely for his part in an attempted rebellion at Oxford.
CAPTAIN OF THE WELSH ARMY
His army disbands after waiting for news from Richard but hearing nothing. Some of his men join Bolingbroke's rebel army. The captain is possibly the Glendower mentioned in III.i.
DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER
She is the widow of Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester. She is also sister-in-law to John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster) and Edmund of Langley (Duke of York). She is eager for her husband's death to be avenged. Her "seven vials of [Edward's] sacred blood" speech is a showpiece although her one scene in the play (I.ii) is likely the playwright's device to allow actors time to change costumes for the grand entry of I.iii. Her death is reported in II.ii. Historically she was Eleanor de Bohun.
DUCHESS OF YORK
She is the wife of the Duke of York and the mother of the Duke of Aumerle. She successfully persuades Bolingbroke (now King Henry IV) to pardon her son for treason. Historically, she was Joan Holland, second wife to Edmund of Langley and not Aumerle's mother as Shakespeare portrays her.
DUKE OF AUMERLE
Son of the Duke and Duchess of York and cousin of King Richard and Bolingbroke. When Bagot turns against the king he accuses Aumerle of involvement in the Duke of Gloucester's murder. He is later called Rutland as he is deprived of his dukedom but remains the Earl of Rutland. He is loyal to Richard throughout and is involved with the Abbot of Westminster and the Bishop of Carlisle in a plot against Bolingbroke's usurpation. Although York warns the king about this treason, Bolingbroke pardons Aumerle after hearing the Duchess of York's entreaties. [ed. note: He is the same man as the Duke of York in Henry V]. Historically, he died at Agincourt (as he does in Shakespeare).
DUKE OF BRITTAINE
He does not appear in the play but is mentioned as the supplier of eight ships and three thousand soldiers for Bolingbroke's army.
DUKE OF GLOUCESTER
Thomas of Woodstock, a "ghost character." Although he never appears on stage, he is the brother of John of Gaunt and the Duke of York and the uncle of King Richard and Bolingbroke. We learn that was murdered before the action of the play begins. The circumstances of his death were suspicious and during the play both Thomas Mowbray and the Duke of Aumerle are accused of being involved.
DUKE OF YORK
He is the brother of John of Gaunt and the late Duke of Gloucester and uncle of King Richard and Bolingbroke. Richard appoints him Lord Governor of England whilst he is away in Ireland. York initially attempts to defend England against Bolingbroke's invasion but is unable to do so adequately because Richard has taken all available troops to Ireland. Although loyal to the king at first, as both Richard and Bolingbroke are his kinsmen he feels he owes loyalty to both. He eventually joins Bolingbroke. York is a traditionalist and is strongly opposed to any kind of treason against the crown. When he discovers that his son the Duke of Aumerle is involved in a plot against Bolingbroke (now King Henry IV) he is eager to inform the king. Historically he was Edmund of Langley.
DUKE OF SURREY
A nobleman who supports the Duke of Aumerle in the face of Bagot's and Lord Fitzwalter's accusations of his involvement in the murder of the Duke of Gloucester.
EARL OF ARUNDEL'S BROTHER
A "ghost character" and member of Bolingbroke's army, which the Earl of Northumberland tells us at the end of II.i, is making its way to England.
EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND
Henry Percy. He reveals that Bolingbroke is returning to England with an army and, along with Lord Ross and Lord Willoughby, decides to fight against King Richard. He is the father of Harry Percy ["Hotspur" of 1 Henry IV].
EARL OF OXFORD
In the quarto version, he is a supporter of King Richard. He is later reported beheaded for his involvement in the Oxford conspiracy against Bolingbroke (now King Henry IV), along with Brocas Sir Bennet Seely. The reference is removed in later versions because it is clearly wrong. Oxford supported Bolingbroke.
EARL OF SALISBURY
A supporter of King Richard who has been in charge of his army in Wales. He is later beheaded for his involvement in a conspiracy against Bolingbroke (now King Henry IV), along with Spencer, Blunt and Kent.
EARL OF WILTSHIRE
A "ghost character." Although he does not appear on stage, he is a supporter of King Richard often referred to alongside Bushy, Bagot and Green. We learn that he is executed with Bushy and Green at Bristol.
EARL OF WORCESTER
A "ghost character." Although he does not appear on stage we learn that, when his brother, the Earl of Northumberland, is declared a traitor, he resigns his position as Lord Steward of King Richard's house and also goes to join Bolingbroke.
EDWARD III
A "ghost character." He is often mentioned in the play as the father of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of York and grandfather of King Richard and Bolingbroke.
FRANCIS COINT
A "ghost character." Although he does not appear on stage, he is a member of Bolingbroke's army, which, the Earl of Northumberland tells us at the end of II.i, is making its way to England.
GARDENER
During a chance encounter, the Gardener gives the Queen her principal information about the impending deposition of King Richard.
GLENDOWER
A "ghost character." He never appears on stage unless he is the unnamed captain of the Welsh forces who speaks to Salisbury in II.iv. He is mentioned by name in III.i by Bolingbroke.
GREEN
A strong supporter of King Richard, along with Bushy and Bagot. Bushy and Green attempt to take refuge at Bristol Castle but are captured by Bolingbroke and condemned to death for treason along with the Earl of Wiltshire.
HARRY PERCY
Son of the Earl of Northumberland, follower of Bolingbroke. He turns up again as "Hotspur" in 1 Henry IV.
JOHN OF GAUNT
Duke of Lancaster. He is King Richard's uncle and Bolingbroke's father. He is very old at the start of the play, and on his deathbed in II.i he accuses Richard of murdering the Duke of Gloucester and asserts that the shame the King's actions bring on his family will eventually kill him. His deathbed speech is a Shakespearean showpiece, often called Shakespeare's love letter to England. Gaunt's death gives Richard the opportunity to seize his lands to use in his campaign against Ireland. The seizure of lands gives Bolingbroke a reason to return from banishment to reclaim his birthright and so sets up the main confrontation of the play.
KENT
Executed by Bolingbroke (now King Henry IV) along with the Earl of Salisbury, Spencer and Blunt for treason.
RICHARD II
King of England at the start of the play. Richard is poetic and enjoys the pomp and ceremony of kingship. However, he is not in touch with the needs of his people and envies his cousin Bolingbroke's popularity. Richard exiles Bolingbroke for six years and Thomas Mowbray for life after Bolingbroke accuses Mowbray of treason. Richard confiscates the Lancastrian lands upon the death of John of Gaunt in order to help finance his campaign in Ireland. Whilst Richard is quashing the Irish rebellion, the Lancastrian heir, Bolingbroke, returns to England with an army. Richard cedes his crown to Bolingbroke in a famous abdication scene. Once deprived of the duties of state, Richard demonstrates a strength of personal character belied by his inefficiency as king. Sir Piers Exton murders him at Pomfret castle where he is held prisoner.
LORD BEAUMONT
Mentioned by Green as a supporter of Bolingbroke (q.v), along with the Earl of Northumberland, Harry Percy, Lord Ross and Lord Willoughby.
LORD BERKELEY
A supporter of King Richard and Lord of Berkeley Castle, where the Duke of York's and Bolingbroke's armies meet in II.iii.
LORD FITZWALTER
A nobleman who supports Bagot's accusations that the Duke of Aumerle was involved in the murder of the Duke of Gloucester.
LORD ROSS
A nobleman who, along with the Earl of Northumberland, Harry Percy and Lord Willoughby, joins Bolingbroke's army to fight against King Richard.
LORD SEYMOUR
Present at Berkeley Castle along with Lord Berkeley and the Duke of York as Bolingbroke, the Earl of Northumberland, and Harry Percy approach.
LORD WILLOUGHBY
A nobleman who, along with Lord Ross and the Earl of Northumberland, joins Bolingbroke's army to fight against King Richard.
MOWBRAY, THOMAS
Duke of Norfolk. He is accused by Bolingbroke of treason (appropriating the King's money, hatching plots and murdering Thomas Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester). When he is banished by King Richard for life he asserts that Bolingbroke's disloyalty will eventually be revealed with serious consequences for Richard.
QUEEN
King Richard's wife. Although her husband's impending deposition is common knowledge in London, the Queen is only able to learn about it by overhearing and then confronting the Gardener (III.iv). She is sent to France when Richard is deposed. Historically, she was Richard's second wife, Isabella of France.
REINOLD LORD COBHAM
A member of Bolingbroke's army, which, the Earl of Northumberland tells us at the end of II.i, is making its way to England.
SIR BENNET SEELY
Mentioned as being executed by Bolingbroke (now King Henry IV) along with Brocas for his part in an attempted rebellion at Oxford.
SIR JOHN NORBERY
A member of Bolingbroke's army, which, the Earl of Northumberland tells us at the end of II.i, is making its way to England.
SIR PIERS EXTON
He murders the deposed King Richard in Pomfret Castle, believing that this is Bolingbroke's (now King Henry IV) wish. He later regrets his act when the king castigates him.
SIR ROBERT WATERTON
A member of Bolingbroke's army, which, the Earl of Northumberland tells us at the end of II.i, is making its way to England.
SIR STEPHEN SCROPE
A loyal supporter of King Richard who brings him the news of Bolingbroke's invasion on Richard's return from Ireland.
SIR THOMAS ERPINGHAM
A member of Bolingbroke's army, which, the Earl of Northumberland tells us at the end of II.i, is making its way to England.
SIR THOMAS RAMSTON
A member of Bolingbroke's army, which, the Earl of Northumberland tells us at the end of II.i, is making its way to England.
SPENCER
Executed by Bolingbroke (now King Henry IV) along with the Earl of Salisbury, Blunt and Kent for treason.
THOMAS
Son and heir to the Earl of Arundel. A member of Bolingbroke's army, which, the Earl of Northumberland tells us at the end of II.i, is making its way to England.