The Epiphany Rising took place on 6 January 1400. It was an attempt to overthrow Henry IV and return Richard II to the throne. The Rising was betrayed, and the ringleaders, including the Earls of Kent and Salisbury, were executed. 

Epiphany Rising: Context

1399/1400 had seen King Richard II deposed and replaced with Henry IV. Richard’s reign had seen civil unrest, but a conciliatory policy with regards France and a subsequent lull in fighting on the continent. Matters surrounding the usurpation of the crown were complex, and were not popular in all quarters.

The latter years of Richard IIs reign had seen him attempting to assert his authority over the Lords Appellant. These powerful lords had for large parts of his reign acted as de facto rulers. Richard, as anointed monarch, retained the loyalty of many nobles. The Appellants also had much support as there were a number of issues that led to grievances.

Henry Bolingbroke’s usurping of the crown

Henry Bolingbroke’s seizure of the crown in 1399 did not solve the problem, or secure the throne. Richard was a prisoner; his supporters were still largely free to do as they pleased and Parliamentary processes still needed to be undertaken to see all aspects of governance transferred to the new regime.

Plot to counter Henry IV’s usurpation

A group of Richard’s supporters decided to put an end to the usurper and his rule. A powerful group, including Earls and others of high status, met in December 1399. These men had supported Richard’s fight against the Lords Appellant. Most had been richly rewarded for that service. Now, they faced a new monarch whose father had been chief among Richard’s opponents. It was clear that those who had supported Richard, now stood to lose out, possibly even tried for ‘crimes’ that they had undertaken under the jurisdiction of the previous regime.

On 17 December 1399 at Abbey House, Westminster, The Earls of Salisbury, Huntingdon, Kent and Rutland, along with Barons le Despenser and Lumley and Sirs Blount and Brocas discussed the situation. Many had already seen their titles downgraded. They were clear targets for the new king. They decided to act to restore Richard II.

Epiphany Rising of 1400

The plan was to surprise King Henry IV on the Twelfth Day of Christmas, 6 January, at a Tournament being held at Windsor. They would kill the usurper and reinstate King Richard II. The plan involved a force of 400 men and would be a swift and decisive action to restore their fortunes.

The plot, however, was betrayed. Edward of Norwich, Earl of Rutland, informed the King of the Plot. Aware of the plans the King planned for a large force of men to be present at the Tournament. And he would not be. When the plotters and their band of men arrived on Epiphany Day, it was soon obvious that they had been foiled. The leaders of the plot fled.

Capture of the Epiphany Rising Conspirators

None of the leading conspirators evaded capture. Having travelled in a westerly direction they were soon apprehended by men loyal to King Henry IV. At Cirencester Baron Lumley was captured by a mob and beheaded straight away.  The Earls of Kent and Salisbury were also captured at Cirencester. They were beheaded without trial on 7 January 1400.

The other leaders were also executed. Most beheaded, Sir Thomas Blount being Hanged, Drawn and Quartered. The plot was one of the reasons why King Henry IV decided that Richard II could not be kept alive, sealing his fate of death by starvation in the cells at Pontefract Castle.

Featured Image

John de Montacute 3rd Earl of Salisbury. He was one of the ringleaders of the Epiphany Rising of 1400. Via Luminarium