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King Richard II of England and his wife Anne of Bohemia were married for 12 years before her death in 1394. Despite the length of the marriage, Anne died childless leading to rumors that either she or Richard was sterile (It’s never been proven which is the case so let’s assume Richard II could produce an heir). I find it surprising that the childless Richard, the last direct heir of Plantagenet Dynasty, did not immediately remarry in 1394/5. It’s even more surprising and odd that Richard II was betrothed to Isabella, a 6 year old. I know that this betrothal was designed to seal a major truce between France and England but I would have thought that succession would have been a keen and pressing subject in Richard’s court and thus they could have pressured him to marry an older bride capable of producing an heir sooner rather than later. In fact, I think Richard’s lack of an heir was likely a contributing factor in Henry IV’s willingness to depose Richard and crown himself King.

Who are potential brides of Richard II and what impact would they and a potential heir have on Richard II. Also how would a longer reign of Richard II and the lack of the Lancaster Dynasty affect England, France and the region?Was a War of the Roses style conflict inevitable and would England's monarchs slowly assert more Royal Authority over the nobility as Richard II attempted?
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