Henry IV

1399 - 1413

aka Henry of Bolingbroke

King Henry IV was the cousin of Richard II who he overthrew to take the throne. His father was John of Gaunt, son of Edward III. Despite Henry’s less legitimate claim to the throne Richard had ruled so arrogantly that Henry was widely welcomed. Richard’s nobles had lost patience with him, and even offered Henry support to take the throne when he returned from exile in France. Richard was forced to abdicate in his favour. Henry’s skill at jousting and his willingness to go on Crusade harked back to a time of chivalry. While having a reputation for diplomacy and compromise ensured Parliament did not oppose his rule, he was not popular with his subjects. During his reign he endured revolts from Wales, Scotland and the north of England.

Despite being a childhood companion of Richard II, Henry was a member of the Lords Appellant. This band of noblemen were opposed to Henry’s rule, seeing him as arrogant and vain. Henry’s father, John of Gaunt, was Richard’s regent and while he was away in Spain, the Lords Appellant made their opposition to Richard clear. When John returned, Richard forgave Henry, temporarily at least. Henry departed for Crusades in Lithuania and Prussia, having been made Duke of Hereford. His favour with the King didn’t last. The Duke of Norfolk accused him of treason. He relayed a conversation to the King in which Henry suggested that all the noblemen were being driven out of the kingdom. Richard decided to exile both men. His decision on John of Gaunt’s death to take Henry’s lands away pushed Henry to action. Returning from exile to popular support, Henry seized the throne. A few months later, he discovered a plan by Richard’s supporters to end his reign. The ringleaders were captured. Henry sat in judgement on them and he was merciless. He had them cut up, thrown into sacks and transported to London.

A year after his coronation, Henry faced a rebellion in Wales lead by Owen Glendower. Owen had proclaimed himself Prince of Wales, a title that English monarchs conferred on their eldest son. Not only did Henry put down an invasion by the Scots in Northumberland at Homildon Hill, in 1402, he also defeated Owen Glendower and his ally Sir Henry Percy at Shrewsbury in 1403. Sir Henry, also known as Harry Hotspur, was killed in battle. Despite these victories, within five years, Wales was an independent country, having received assistance from both Scotland and France. Consequently Henry was swift and brutal in response to a plan by Glendower and his allies to divide Wales and England between them. The Duke of Norfolk and the Archbishop of York were captured and executed. Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and father of Harry, escaped to Scotland. He was killed three years later at the battle of Bramham Moor in Yorkshire. His head was taken to London Bridge and put on a spike.

The Archbishop’s murder made Henry deeply unpopular. His second marriage in 1403 to Joanna, also known as Joan, of Navarre did not increase his popularity. She was accused by some of being a witch. By 1413, aged just 45, Henry was ill. His mind was troubled as was his conscience. Taking the throne by force from his cousin, who subsequently died in prison, was taking its toll on Henry. His reign was troubled by revolts from his own kingdom and abroad. By putting down and executing his enemies, he gained more. His execution of the Archbishop of York was seen as especially heinous. His son Henry, also known as Prince Hal, was pushing for the chance to rule. Henry’s good friend, Thomas Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury opposed Prince Hal’s ambition. King Henry was tired, ill and defeated. As he lay on his deathbed, Prince Hal took his crown. Henry challenged his son who replied, ‘you held the crown by the right of your sword and I shall do the same’. Henry is said to have replied ‘I leave it all in the hands of God, may he have mercy on me’. Henry died soon after in the Jerusalem Chamber at Westminster Cathedral, probably as a result of a series of strokes or epileptic fits.

Henry IV Factfile