The marriage of Anne of Bohemia, daughter of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and Elizabeth of Pomerania, to Richard II of England, is a result of the Great Schism in the Papacy that has left Western Christendom with two rival popes.

Pope Urban VI according to Eduard Perroy actually sanctioned the marriage between Richard and Anne, in an attempt to create an alliance on his behalf, particularly so that he might be stronger against the French and their preferred pope, Clement Anne's father was the most powerful monarch in Europe at the time, ruling over about half of Europe's population and territory.

The marriage is against the wishes of many members of his nobility and members of parliament, and occurred primarily at the instigation of Richard's intimate, Michael de la Pole.

Although Richard had been offered Caterina Visconti, one of the daughters of Bernabò Visconti of Milan, who would have brought a great deal of money with her as dowry, Anne had been chosen—bringing no direct financial benefits to England.

She brings with her no dowry, and in return for her hand in marriage, Richard has given twenty thousand florins (around four million pounds in today's value) in payment to her brother Wenceslas.

There are also only a few diplomatic benefits—although English merchants are now allowed to trade freely within both Bohemian lands, and lands of the Holy Roman Empire, this is not much when compared to the usual diplomatic benefits from marriages made as a result of the war with France.

It is therefore no surprise that the marriage is unpopular.

Anne on her arrival in December 1381 had been severely criticized by contemporary chroniclers, probably as a result of the financial arrangements of the marriage, although it is quite typical for queens to be viewed in critical terms.

The Westminster Chronicler calls her "a tiny scrap of humanity", and Thomas Walsingham related a disastrous omen upon her arrival, where her ships smashed to pieces as soon as she had disembarked.

Nevertheless, Anne and King Richard II are married on January 20, 1382, in Westminster Abbey.

Tournaments are held for several days after the ceremony, in celebration.

They now go on an itinerary of the realm, staying at many major abbeys along the way.

Anne's wedding to Richard II is the fifth royal wedding in Westminster Abbey and will not be followed by any other royal wedding in Westminster Abbey for another five hundred and thirty-seven years.