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1375
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Simon Sudbury becomes Archbishop of Canterbury 
Simon Sudbury becomes the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Worcester Cathedral major building work 
Work progressed on the vaults of the nave and crossing, the west front, north porch and east cloister. Until 1395.1

See Also Galilee porch as Peterborough 
The Galilee porch on the West front of Peterborough Cathedral was started in 1375.1

See Also Construction of Bolton Castle 
Work on Bolton Castle was begun by Lord Scrope, the Chancellor to Richard II.2

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Introduction to Heraldry

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1376 Jun  -  Death of the Black Prince 
Heir to the English throne, the Black Prince died. His son Richard would become the next king of England as Richard II.

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1377
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Building work at Gloucester Cathedral 
Work on Perpendicular style choir and cloisters was begun at Gloucester Cathedral.

See Also Carisbrooke defended against the French 
The French landed on the Isle of Wight and attacked Carisbrooke castle. The castle did not fall to the French.

See Also Construction of Farleigh Hungerford Castle 
Sir Thomas Hungerford began the construction of a castle at Farleigh.2

See Also Clement VII becomes the Antipope  (More...)
Gregory XI becomes Pope  (More...)
Feb  -  Wycliffe tried for heresy 
John Wycliffe was tried for heresy at the court of the bishop of London at St. Paul's. Wycliffe was supported by John of Gaunt but the trial failed to convict the religious reformer when it ended in riots and chaos.

See Also Jun 21  -  Edward III Dies 
Edward III, the King of England died in June 1377. One year earlier Edward's eldest son and heir to the throne, Edward the Black Prince died. Richard, the son of the Black Prince, was proclaimed heir to the throne. King Edward was ill for some time before his death, and John of Gaunt another of Edward's sons took the affairs of the nation under his control.3

See Also Jun 23  -  Richard II becomes king 
Richard, the son of Edward the Black Prince, and grandson of Edward III, became king.

See Also Jul 16  -  Richard II is crowned 
The 10 year old Richard II was crowned king of England. Ceremonies were overseen by his uncle John of Gaunt. Henry Percy was created Earl of Northumberland at the ceremony in recognition for his services as a soldier leading troops against the French.

See Also
 
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1378
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Canterbury Cathedral rebuilding work 
Work on rebuilding the nave and transepts of Canterbury Cathedral was started. The designer was Henry Yeveley one of the greatest architects in the late medieval period.

See Also Urban VI becomes Pope  (More...)
Feb  -  Wycliffe again tried for heresy 
Again John Wycliffe was tried for heresy but this time he was supported by Joan of Kent the widow of Edward, the Black Prince. The trial ended when the citizens entered the courtroom to save him.

See Also Oct  -  Parliament at Gloucester 
Richard II held a parliament at Gloucester from October to December in this year putting much strain on the abbey due to the size of the crowds. 4

See Also
 
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1379
Events occurring at some time during this year 
New College Oxford founded 
William of Wykeham founded his college, New College, Oxford. The foundations being laid in 1380.

See Also Canterbury Nave and South Transept 
Canterbury Nave and South Transept built by Henry Yevele.1

See Also Canterbury Cloisters 
Canterbury Cloisters built by Henry Yevele.1

See Also
 
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1380
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Richard takes control 
Since coming to the throne in 1377, Richard had been too young to rule. This ended when the last of the 'continual councils' was dismissed.5

See Also Construction of Wressle Castle 
Sir Thomas Percy built Wressle Castle.2

Death of Charles V and accession of Charles VI 
Charles V, King of France, died and was succeeded by his son Charles as King Charles VI, of France.

See Also
 
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1381
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Construction of Raby Castle 
John Neville, the 5th Lord of Raby, began the building of Raby Castle.2

May  -  Start of the Peasant's Revolt 
Essex villagers resisted tax collection; beginning of the Peasant's Revolt in England.
6

See Also Jun 7  -  Peasant's Revolt reaches Maidstone 
The Kentish section of the Revolt reached Maidstone where they were joined by Wat Tyler who became their leader. They released John Ball from the church prison.7

See Also Jun 10  -  William Courtenay becomes Archbishop of Canterbury 
William Courtenay became the Archbishop of Canterbury.

See Also Jun 10  -  Peasant's Revolt reaches Canterbury 
William Courtenay was elected the new archbishop of Canterbury by the Kentish rebels who crowded into the church. The previous archbishop was in London with the king and was to be beheaded by the rebels. The Essex section of the revolt burnt and sacked a Hospitaller commandery that had previously belonged to the Templars called Cressing Temple.7

See Also Jun 11  -  Rebels move towards London 
Both the Kentish and the Essex rebels move towards London.

See Also Jun 12  -  Rebels reach London 
The Essex rebels reach Mile End near Aldgate and the Kentish rebels reach Southwark.7

See Also Jun 13  -  Rebels enter London 
The English rebels entered London and joined the local poor in attacking the Savoy Palace and other property; a general insurrection began in Cambridgeshire.
6

Jun 14  -  Richard meets the rebels 
Richard II negotiated with the rebel peasants at Mile End, London. At the same time a group of rebels entered the Tower and Archbishop Simon of Sudbury, Sir Robert Hales and other officials were killed. Disturbances also started in St.Albans.
6

See Also Jun 15  -  Watt Tyler killed 
Richard II again met the rebels, at Smithfield; they demanded the confiscation of church land; Watt Tyler was killed and the rebels dispersed; the Prior of Bury St.Edmunds was executed by the townspeople; University property was attacked in Cambridge (-17.6).
6

See Also Jun 16  -  Rebellion elsewhere 
The English rebellion spread to Norfolk and (19.6) Somerset; Sir John Cavendish murdered by rebels.
6

See Also Jun 17  -  Rebellion again 
Norfolk rebels entered Norwich and (18-26.6) were repelled by local landowners, led by Henry le Despenser, bishop of Norwich; the bishop met the rebels (26.6) at North Walsham and captured their stronghold; rebel attacks occurred at Peterborough Abbey and Dunstable priory, and in Buckinghamshire and Leicestershire.6

See Also
 
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1382
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Founding of Winchester College 
William of Wykeham founded Winchester College so that prayers could be said for his soul for all time. It also provided training for boys that were to enter his other college, New College Oxford.8

See Also A new castle at Sherriff Hutton is begun 
Building work on a new castle started under the direction of John Neville.2

Jan 14  -  Richard marries 
Richard II married Anne, the sister of Wenceslas of Bohemia. This was a diplomatic move over the French as the king of France Charles V wanted Anne his marry his own son. The marriage was not popular as a large loan had to be paid to Wenceslas for the privilege.

See Also May 21  -  Earthquake 
An earthquake occurred somewhere in the Straits of Dover and was felt in southern England and in the Low Countries across the North Sea. The event happened during a meeting to condem the works of John Wycliffe.

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1384 Apr  -  Criticism of Richard 
At a session of Parliament held this year both John of Gaunt and Thomas of Woodstock argued with Richard about the way in which the country was being run, his finances and the influences of his advisors.

See Also Dec 31  -  Death of John Wycliffe 
John Wyciffe died.

See Also
 
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1385
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Licence granted to crenellate at Donnington 
Threats of invasion prompted Richard to allow the creation of fortified manor houses. Donnington is one example.2

See Also Richard leads army to North 
Differences between Richard and his uncles were temporarily suspended when an army from France landed in Scotland to help the Scots attack the North of England. Richard took an army to deal with the threat. No battles took place and the English spent most of their time burning the area in front of the Scots to prevent them advancing. In the destruction Melrose and Dryburgh abbeys were damaged.

See Also Richard make his uncles Dukes 
Richard gave his uncles Edmund of Langley and Thomas of Woodstock new titles. He made Edmund the Duke of York and made Thomas the Duke of Gloucester.

See Also
Qtr 2  -  French prepare for invasion 
All through the summer months, the French prepared men and supplies in the Norman ports.9

See Also
 
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1386
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Licence granted to crenellate at Bodiam 
The king granted Sir Edward Dalyngrugge a licence to crenellate his mansion in Sussex due to threats of invasion. But Dalyngrugge decided to build a completely new structure instead.

See Also Richard makes de Vere more powerful 
Robert gave the title of Marquis of Dublin to his favourite Robert de Vere. This gave de Vere power over all royal lands in Ireland and made him almost as powerful as Richard's uncles.

See Also
Spring  -  Gaunt and the Castilian throne 
With the defeat of the Castilians by the king of Portugal, James of Aviz, John of Gaunt saw his chance of taking the Castilian throne by right of his wife. He asked Richard for a loan to be repaid once he had the throne. Richard was pleased to pay the loan and get rid of Gaunt, as Gaunt was criticising Richard's handling of finances and his choice of advisors.5

See Also Summer  -  French fleet mass at Sluys 
An invasion from France seemed to be imminent as the French fleet mass at Sluys. 5

See Also Summer  -  Commission appointed 
With the French threatening to invade, Richard's continued disregard of his uncles' requests to remove his Chancellor and Treasurer from office, a delegation met Richard at Eltham. His uncle, Duke of Gloucester acted as spokesman for Parliament. He reminded Richard of his duties and demanded that his advisors be removed. He reminded Richard that if he didn't comply he could be removed from his position as King. Richard had little choice and a commission was set up to oversee the king's affairs.

See Also Jul 8  -  John of Gaunt leaves Plymouth 
John of Gaunt set sail from Plymouth, his task to take the Castilian throne.5

See Also
 
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1387
Events occurring at some time during this year 
The Canterbury Tales 
Geoffrey Chaucer begins the Canterbury Tales.

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Apr  -  Future Henry V born 
It is believed that Henry, the future king of England Henry V, was born at the gatehouse tower of Monmouth castle in late summer. His father was Henry Bolingbroke the future Henry IV king of England and his mother was Mary de Bohun. Mary was seventeen when Henry was born.9

See Also Dec  -  Invasion threat from France 
During the winter months of 1387 and spring months of 1388, Henry Bolingbroke prepared defences along the south coast.9

See Also Dec 19  -  Battle of Radcot Bridge 
Forces belonging to the Lords Appellant defeated forces led by Robert de Vere, the favourite of Richard II.

See Also
 
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1389
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Boniface IX becomes Pope  (More...)
May  -  Richard II declared his intention to rule freely 
Richard announced that he intended to rule unaided.6

See Also
 
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1390
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Construction of Lumley Castle 
Lumley Castle at Chester-le-Street was built by Ralph, Lord Lumley.2

Apr 19  -  Robert III becomes King of the Scots 
Robert II, king of the Scots died at the age of seventy-four and was succeeded by Robert III who ruled from 1390 to 1406. Robert II was buried at Scone Abbey.10

See Also
 
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1391
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Manuel II becomes the Byzantine Emperor  (More...)
 
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1393
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Construction of Wardour Castle 
The work on Wardour Castle (now Old Wardour Castle) was begun in this year. The architect in charge may have been William Wynford who was responsible for the changes made to Winchester Cathedral around about the same time. The castle is very unusual in that is hexagonal and aligned to the north-east.

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1394
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Winchester Cathedral rebuilding work 
Work began on converting the Norman front and nave of Winchester Cathedral to the Perpendicular style by the Bishop of Winchester, William of Wykeham.

See Also Queen Anne dies 
Richard II's first wife Anne of Bohemia died.6

See Also Winchester College opens 
William of Wykeham founded Winchester College in 1382 and building work had been progressing since then. The college opened in this year for its first students.11

See Also Benedict XIII becomes the Antipope  (More...)
 
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1395
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Guy's Tower completed at Warwick Castle 
The construction of the huge circular tower called Guy's Tower at Warwick Castle was completed.

See Also
 
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1396
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Richard II marries Isabella 
The marriage of Richard II and the seven or eight year-old daughter of Charles VI, King of France was arranged.6

See Also
 
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1397
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Wilton Diptych painted 
A series of miniature images painted on the side of the Black Prince's tomb in Canterbury Cathedral.

See Also Thomas Arundel exiled 
Shortly after becoming Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Arundel was exiled by Richard II because of his support for the lords appellant who opposed the King's misrule of the country.

See Also
 
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1398
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Urquhart Castle becomes the King's property 
An act of Parliament is passed which brings the ownership of Urquhart Castle into the hands of the English King.10

See Also
Sep 16  -  Bolingbroke exiled 
Richard II had executed or exiled other members of the Lords Appellant the previous year and now Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray were concerned that their turn was next. Mowbray confided these concerns with Bolingbroke. Bolingbroke informed the King of Mowbray's treasonable words and Mowbray was arrested. Mowbray denied the accusations and that he ever talked to Bolingbroke. To bring the dispute to an end, a duel between Bolingbroke and Mowbray was arranged. But before the duel took place Richard changed his mind and banished Bolingbroke for ten years and Mowbray for life.9

See Also
 
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1399
Events occurring at some time during this year 
Treasure found at Beeston Castle 
In this year Beeson Castle, which had belonged to Richard II, was handed over to Henry IV. In the castle a hoard of Richard's treasure was found.

See Also
Feb  -  Death of John of Gaunt 
.

See Also Mar  -  Bolingbroke's land confiscated 
Bolingbroke should have inherited the lands from his father, John of Gaunt, but Richard had other ideas. The king confiscated Bolingbroke's inheritance and increased his term of exile to life.9

See Also Summer  -  Richard goes to Ireland 
Richard sailed to Ireland to suppress a rebellion. He took almost all of his closest supporters with him, leaving an inexperienced Edmund of York in command.9

See Also Jul  -  Bolingbroke returns to England 
Landing at Ravenspur in Yorkshire, Bolingbroke returned to England intent to taking the throne from Richard. He marched south to Bristol taking control of Lancastrian castles on route, all of which welcomed his return.9

See Also Aug  -  Richard is captured 
Richard returned to England landing in Wales. Richard was captured at Conway Castle and was moved to Pontefract Castle where he was imprisoned.9

See Also Sep  -  Bolingbroke accepted by Parliament 
Parliament accepted Bolingbroke's claim to the throne. He was to become Henry IV, king of England.9

See Also Oct 13  -  Henry IV becomes king 
Henry IV is crowned king of England after the abdication of Richard II.

See Also Oct 15  -  A new Prince of Wales 
Bolingbroke's son Henry, Prince of Monmouth, was made Prince of Wales. The Prince was not the true heir to the English throne as this honour fell to the young Earl of March, but Henry would become Henry V, king of England.9

See Also
Previous 25 Years
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1375 .. 1399
Next 25 Years
Selection of references used:

1. John Harvey, English Cathedrals, 1961
2. James Forde-Johnston, Great Medieval Castles of Britain, 1979
3. Michael Senior, The Life and Times of Richard II, 1981
4. Abbot Gasquet, The Greater Abbeys of England, 1908
5. M H Keen, England in the Later Middle Ages, 0-415-02783-7
6. Peter Potter, Data Donation
7. John J. Robinson, Born in Blood, 0-87131-602-1
8. A.R.Myers, England in the late middle Ages
9. Peter Earle, The Life and Times of Henry V
10. Susan Ross, The Castles of Scotland, 0 85097 184 5
11. Richard Cavendish, Kings and Queens The Concise Guide, 978-0-7153-2376-2

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