- Henry of Lancaster, born Henry of Bolingbroke, became Henry IV through some lucky odds and foolish mistakes made by Richard II. Richard II banished Bolingbroke from the country of England and proceeded to take control of much of his lands while he was away. This was a dishonorable act in many of England’s noblemen’s eyes (who didn’t think too highly of Richard II anyway). When Bolingbroke came back to reclaim his land he had supporters. A campaign to regain lost land became a usurpation of the crown (though Henry IV did have a relation to Edward III, and thus an arguable claim to kingship).

- Henry IV spent most of his reign f

ighting small uprisings attempting both to keep the crown and prove his legitimacy by brute force. The nagging guilt of his actions are said to have haunted him until his death.

- One of the first things Henry V does is to give a proper burial to Richard II’s body. He had him buried in Westminster Abbey with the other kings of England as a gesture of forgiveness and support for those who had sided with Richard II over his father, Henry IV. Perhaps it was also an attempt to get rid of the guilt his father could not escape.

- The crown passed on to Prince Hal (Shakespeare’s nickname), Henry V. He was immensely experienced in war and managing people because of the number of battles he fought during his father’s reign. A legend has sprung up around him, however, which claims he was a prodigal son whose relationship with his

Some topics in this essay:
Henry IV, Richard II, Hal Shakespeare’s, Henry Archbishop, Falstaff Hal, Irish Scottish, Agincourt British, IV II, Henry V’s, Westminster Abbey, henry iv, richard ii, prince hal, henry lancaster,