On 30 September 1399, Henry Bolingbroke claimed the English throne and became King Henry IV after deposing his cousin, Richard II.

Only months earlier, Henry had been an exile. Richard had banished him after a dispute with Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk. When Henry’s father, John of Gaunt, died in February 1399, Richard seized control of the Lancastrian inheritance rather than letting Henry inherit it.

Henry returned to England while Richard was campaigning in Ireland. Although he initially presented his return as an attempt to recover his inheritance, he quickly attracted support. Richard returned to find his position badly weakened, and Henry eventually took the crown.

Richard renounced the crown on 29 September. The following day, an assembly of lords and commons met at Westminster Hall. Richard’s renunciation was presented, and articles setting out the case against his rule were accepted.

Henry then claimed the vacant throne. His hereditary right was open to challenge, but he now had the political support and power needed to make his claim effective. Parliament accepted him as king, beginning the reign of Henry IV and the Lancastrian line of English monarchs.

Henry was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 13 October. His accession left him with the ongoing problem of defending a crown won by removing his predecessor.