As yet however the dread was a baseless one; the people were heartily with the Prince and his child.

The Duke's proposal that the succession should be settled in case of Richard's death was rejected; and the boy himself was brought into Parliament and acknowledged as heir of the Crown.
[Sidenote: Wyclif and John of Gaunt] To secure their work the Commons ended by obtaining the addition of nine lords with William of Wykeham and two other prelates among them to the royal Council.

But the Parliament was no sooner dismissed than the Duke at once resumed his power.

His anger at the blow which had been dealt at his projects was no doubt quickened by resentment at the sudden advance of the Lower House.

From the Commons who shrank even from giving counsel on matters of state to the Commons who dealt with such matters as their special business, who investigated royal accounts, who impeached royal ministers, who dictated changes in the royal advisers, was an immense step.
But it was a step which the Duke believed could be retraced.