from false Mowbray their first head and spring"
             This can be seen as an implicit challenge to Richard, the start of many from Bolingbroke as Richard is the first head and spring of England. We can interpret this quarrel between Mowbray and Bolingbroke as being merely a front for an underlying feud between the King and the house of Lancaster.
             The King is seemingly in absolute control of his court and shows a certain degree of wisdom as he is ignoring the fact that Bolingbroke is his blood relative and proceeds to play the part of an impartial arbiter as he clearly states: "Impartial are our eyes and ears" hence showing that his kinship to Bolingbroke does not sway his judgement when concerning judicial affairs. In my opinion he is showing qualities required to be a fair King. However, in his attempt to reconcile the two adversaries, our image of a strong King is somewhat tarnished.
             "Wrath kindled gentlemen, be ruled by me"
             Richard is attempting to stay in control over his court as he feels Mowbray and Bolingbroke are slipping from his hegemony. A potentially disastrous episode as this is a very public scene, one in which Richard must been seen to be exerting supreme authority over his subjects yet he fails to do so. His request is ignored and his follow up is an over dramatised statement which adversely shows up a certain lack of impotence on his part.
             "We were not born to sue, but to command
             Which since we cannot do........."
             This provides Richard's future opponent, Bolingbroke, and indeed the audience, with a significant admittance of defeat, an inability to execute authority in his own court thus a clear weakness as a ruler.
             The trial by combat happens on St Lambert's day. King Richard, in his usual high fashion, arrives and the ceremony begins. As the trumpet sounds, Richard calls a halt to the duel and goes to discuss the situation with his council. This anti cli...