Northumberland (Richard II)

Play

Richard II

Summary

Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, is Bolingbroke's most energetic and ruthless supporter, serving as the chief instrument of Richard's humiliation and deposition. He confronts Richard at Flint Castle, orchestrates the formal abdication scene, and reads out the charges against the fallen king. Richard himself prophetically warns Bolingbroke that Northumberland will one day turn on him — a prophecy fulfilled in the Henry IV plays.

Notable Quotations

"The time shall not be many hours of age / More than it is ere foul sin gathering head / Shall break into corruption: thou shalt think, / Though he divide the realm and give thee half, / It is too little, helping him to all." *(5.1)*

"My lord, in the base court he doth attend / To speak with you; may it please you to come down?" *(3.3)*

Cross-references

• Richard II — the play
• Bolingbroke — his lord whom he serves
• Richard II — the king he helps depose
• Henry IV, Part 1 — where he rebels
• Histories