Thomas of Woodstock, the Duke of Gloucester, had inherited much of the lands and the influence of the old house of Bohun.

Round Henry, Earl of Derby, the son of John of Gaunt by Blanche of Lancaster, the old Lancastrian party of constitutional opposition was once more forming itself.

The favour shown to the followers of Wyclif at the Court threw on the side of this new opposition the bulk of the bishops and Churchmen.

Richard himself showed no sympathy with the Lollards, but the action of her Bohemian servants shows the tendencies of his queen.

Three members of the royal Council were patrons of the Lollards, and the Earl of Salisbury, a favourite with the king, was their avowed head.