of Richard and is left as the Lord Protector of England during Richard's offensive in Ireland. As soon as Bolingbroke demonstrates his power, however, the Duke shifts his loyalty to him. Later, he reveals the role of his son, Aumerle, in the plot against Bolingbroke. His loyalty to country and king is his distinguishing trait.
             Mowbray - He is the Duke of Norfolk. Bolingbroke accuses him of treason before King Richard, and Mowbray challenges Bolingbroke to a single combat to defend his honor. At the last moment, Richard calls off the tournament and banishes Mowbray for life and Bolingbroke for ten years. After this, Mowbray drops out of the play. He dies in Venice within a year.
             Duke of Aumerle - He is the son of York. At the beginning of the play, he is one of Richard's favorite courtiers. When he is challenged by Bagot and others before Bolingbroke in the Parliament scene in Act IV, he launches into furious rhetoric that is quite uncharacteristic of him. When his involvement in the conspiracy against Bolingbroke becomes known to his father, he gallops to London at the pleading of his mother to beg forgiveness before York can accuse him.
             Queen Isabel - The Queen stands on the periphery of events and appears only four times in the play. She is either ignored or patronized by her husband and spends her time with courtiers, like Bushy and Green, whose tasks are togive her bad news and to comfort her when she grieves. In real life, Richard's queen was a child of nine.
             Northumberland - As a loyal follower of Richard at the beginning of the play, Northumberland excuses his lord's behavior on the grounds that he is "basely led by flatterers." He is persuaded to revolt against Richard by Ross and Willoughby, and he becomes Bolingbroke's trusted lieutenant. He also serves as Bolingbroke's chief representative to Richard in the matters of abdication and the terms of Richard's banishment. At the end of the play, he orders Richard to Pom...