self.

[Sidenote: A revolution.]

This plan was carried into effect. Henry raised an armament, crossed
the Channel, and landed in England. The people took sides. A great
majority sided with Henry. A full account of this insurrection and
invasion is given in our history of Richard II. All that it is
necessary to say here is that the revolution was effected. Richard was
deposed, and Henry obtained possession of the kingdom. It was thus
that the house of Lancaster first became established on the throne.

[Sidenote: The elder branches of the family.]

But you will very naturally wonder where the representatives of the
second brother in Edward the Third's family were all this time, and
why, when Richard was deposed, who was the son of the first brother,
they did not appear, and advance their claims in competition with
Henry. The reason was because there was no male heir of that branch
living in that line. You will see by referring again to the table that
the only child of Lionel, the second brother, was Philippa, a girl.
She had a son, it is true, Roger Mortimer, as appears by the table;
but he was yet very young, and could do nothing to assert the claims
of his line. Besides, Henry pretended that, together with his claims
to the throne through his father, he had others more ancient and
better founded still through his mother, who, as he attempted to
prove, was descended from an English king who reigned _before Edward
III._ The people of England, as they wished to have Henry for king,
were very easily satisfied with his arguments, and so it was settled
that he should reign. The line of this second brother, however, did
not give up their claims, but reserved them, intending to rise and
assert them on the very first favorable opportunity.

Henry reigned about thirteen years, and then was succeeded by his son,
Henry V., as appears by the table. There was no attempt to disturb the
Lancastrian line in their possession of the throne during these two
reigns. The attention, both of the kings and of the people, during all
this period, was almost wholly engrossed in the wars which they were
waging in France. These wars were very successful. The English
conquered province after province and castle after castle, until at
length almost the whole country was brought under their sway.

[Sidenote: 1422.]

[Sidenote: Birth and accession of Henry VI.]

This state of things continued until the death of Henry V., which took
place in 1