Richard II, King /ˌrɪtʃəd ðə ˈsekənd $ -ərd-/ BrE AmE
(1367–1400) the king of England from 1377 to 1399. He became very unpopular by ordering many of his opponents to be killed, and he was removed from power by his ↑ cousin , who then became King Henry IV. Richard was put in prison in 1399, and died or was murdered the next year. These events are described in Shakespeare's play Richard II .