The Eagle and The Hart: The Tragedy and Richard II and Henry IV

Richard of Bordeaux and Henry Bolingbroke were first cousins, born just three months apart. When they were still children, Richard was crowned King Richard II with Henry at his side, carrying the sword of state: a ten-year-old lord in the service of his ten-year-old king. Yet Richard was the white hart, a thin-skinned narcissist, and Henry the eagle, a chivalric hero, a leader who inspired loyalty where Richard inspired only fear. Henry had all the qualities Richard lacked, all the qualities a sovereign needed, bar one: birth right. Increasingly threatened by his charismatic cousin, Richard became consumed by the need for total power, in a time of constant conflict, rebellions and reprisals. He banished Henry into exile and the stage was set for a final confrontation, as the hart became the tyrant and the eagle his usurper.

‘A glorious work of history… a gripping and haunting tragedy… There was no book published this year, novels included, that I found richer in character; no plot more taut’

*The Daily Telegraph’s Best Book of the Year 2024*

Dates

24 Jul 2025

10am - 11am

Price

£14

Concessions: £5 tickets are available for under 35 year olds who are part of the Friends of BIF's Next Gen Scheme.

Venue

Pavilion Arts Centre

Booking Details Useful Tips for booking

Friends get priority booking on a staggered basis from 18 March
Public booking opens 15 April
More info | Become a Friend

Dates, times & booking

  • Thu 24 Jul 2025 10.00am - 11.00am Book
Friends get priority booking on a staggered basis from 18 March
About Friends Priority Booking

Public booking opens 15 April

Useful Tips for booking

Priority Booking
for BIF Friends

To book seats early, join the Friends of Buxton International Festival and become part of our ‘Festival Family.’

Directors’ Circle, Benefactor, Gold Patron Tuesday, 18 March

Patron Tuesday, 25 March

Gold Friend Tuesday, 1 April

Friend and Joint Friend Tuesday, 8 April

Become a friend

Joining our community and becoming a BIF Friend unlocks a whole host of benefits, including priority booking for the festival.

From just £36 per year, become part of the festival you love all year-round.

  • Priority booking for all festival events
  • Six tiers of membership starting from just £36
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  • Special friends events throughout the year: meals, dinners, recitals and more
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If you are under 35 you can join the Next Gen Friends for free, and access £5 tickets to book events and £10 tickets to all other events.

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