During the inglorious reign of Richard II the banks of the river saw many changes, especially at the old palace at Westminster. Richard nearly rebuilt the royal apartments facing the river. But the old House of Lords, the Painted Chamber, the Princes' Chamber, and the Chapel were not touched.
The cloisters attached to the Chapel were rebuilt subsequently. The enormous sums which the King spent on these operations and on his lavish entertainments - sums raised by oppressive taxes and exorbitant fines - made him extemely unpopular with the citizens.
He was later deposed by his cousin, Henry of Lancaster, who was cheered on by the people, and not one of them shouted "God save King Richard" as the two rode through the streets of the city - one to the throne, the other to a prison.
In 1396 the old bridge saw a gorgeous procession pass through its gateways and between its houses, with pennons and tapestry and wreaths and garlands. It was to welcome Richard's second Queen, Isabella of France, a child of eight years old.
She had come from the manor house of Kennington, through Southwark, and was passing over the bridge on her way to the Tower, and such was the crush on the bridge to see the child bride that nine people were crushed to death on the bridge-among them was the Prior of Tiptree in Essex, and a worshipful matron of Cornhill.
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