Henry IV, Part 1

The term Henriad refers to Shakespeare’s four plays documenting the rise of England’s King Henry V. These are Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V. These plays roughly follow the historical record with a few changes and many embellishments. In Shakespeare’s retelling, Richard II’s reign is unstable; his poor governance makes him unpopular with commoners and nobles alike. After a dispute, he banishes his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, son of the Duke of Lancaster, to France. Meanwhile, Richard becomes embroiled in conflicts in Ireland, further destabilizing his reign. When Henry’s father dies, the king seizes his property, further angering Henry. Henry takes advantage of the king’s absence and returns with an army, aided by Henry Percy, the Earl of Northumberland. Richard II returns to England and surrenders without a fight. Richard abdicates, and Henry crowns himself King Henry IV. Henry imprisons Richard, and an overzealous supporter of Henry murders him, leaving Henry in the state of guilt and contrition with which Henry IV, Part 1 opens. Because of the way he took the throne, Henry’s reign is on shaky footing. The Percy family becomes displeased with him, believing he is not sufficiently grateful for their support in his rise to power.