There are two instances (of which I know) involving a Duke of Gloucester and a king called Richard. The one that is best known to Ricardians is Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who became Richard III. But there was another instance in the previous century, when Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, made the life of his nephew Richard II a misery.
Today, Epiphany, was Richard’s birthday, so posting about him seems fitting.
Everyone these days is unaccountably shocked that Thomas eventually came to a sticky end, undoubtedly at Richard’s command, but quite honestly, the bullying b-st-rd deserved it! Thomas of Woodstock had always plotted and schemed against Richard, and clearly thought himself above reaping the consequences.
I’m only surprised Richard’s touchpaper didn’t ignite a lot earlier in the proceedings. He’d had uncle-trouble ever since he came to the throne as a boy in 1377. Thomas was the youngest uncle of three, the other two were John of Gaunt and Edmund of Langley (Edmund was the least troublesome.) They wanted to run the realm in Richard’s stead, which was fair enough when he was a child, but they were loath to let him grow up and take over for himself. The upper aristocracy didn’t fancy him in control either. Richard was up against it from the outset, and eventually they rose against him. But Richard survived and took his revenge. Well, what a surprise. To use a modern phrase, they’d messed with his head throughout his life. The result was that he became damaged goods. It wasn’t his fault, it was theirs, but he’s the one labelled a tyrant. Hmm, that should familiar. Wasn’t another King Richard accused of tyranny as well? Some time around 1483, I think….
If you go to this article you can read more about the long struggle between Thomas of Woodstock and Richard II.
murreyandblue 
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