The death of the Black Prince (SS238, 241, 247) left his son Richard
heir to the crown. As he was but eleven years old, Parliament
provided that the government during his minority should be carried on
by a council; but John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (S247), speedily
got the control of affairs.
He was an unprincipled man, who wasted the nation's money, opposed
reform, and was especially hated by the laboring classes. The times
were critical. War had again broken out with both Scotland and
France, the French fleet was raiding the English coast, the national
treasury had no money to pay its troops, and the government debt was
rapidly accumulating.