legitimacy in Richard II

Legitimacy Richard became king at the age of ten, taking over for his father, Edward the Black Prince, Edward III’s oldest son, who predeceased his father. This elevation gave the boy authority over all nobles, including his uncles. Once crowned, Richard’s right to rule and to have his commands obeyed was supported by the order of God, since it was believed that the king’s power was issued directly from God. The king …

…pleasure and his views cannot be so drastic or he could be beheaded. There are many references to God in relation to Richard and divine right. When Richard gives up his crown he also loses his identity, we should hate Richard for being a weak ruler and love Bolingbroke for being strong and able to take a stand on the many issues Richard could not, but the reverse happens at the end of this play.