Henry IV, Part 1 (often written as 1 Henry IV) is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written no later than 1597. The play dramatises part of the reign of King Henry IV of England, beginning with the battle at Homildon Hill late in 1402, and ending with King Henry's victory in the Battle of Shrewsbury in mid-1403. In parallel to the political conflict between King Henry and a rebellious faction of nobles, the play depicts the escapades of King Henry's son, Prince Hal (the future King Henry V), and his eventual return to court and favour.
Henry IV, Part 1 is the first of Shakespeare's two plays which deal with the reign of Henry IV (the other being Henry IV, Part 2), and the second play in the Henriad, a modern designation for the tetralogy of plays that deal with the successive reigns of Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V. From its first performance on, it has been an extremely popular work both with the public and critics.
Characters
Of the King's party
King Henry the Fourth – King of England. Henry, Prince of Wales (nicknamed "Prince Hal" or "Harry") – eldest son of Henry IV John of Lancaster – represented in the play as the King's second son, although he was actually the third Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmorland - the King's brother-in-law Sir Walter Blount ("Blunt") Eastcheap Sir John Falstaff – a knight and friend of Prince Hal's Ned Poins Bardolph Peto Mistress Quickly – hostess of the Boar's Head Tavern Francis – tapster Vintner – tavern keeper Gadshill Two Carriers (Mugs and Tom) Ostler
Rebels
Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland
Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester – Northumberland's brother
Harry Percy (nicknamed "Hotspur") – Northumberland's son
Edmund Mortimer – Hotspur's brother-in-law and Glendower's son-in-law
Owen Glendower – leader of the Welsh rebels
Archibald, Earl of Douglas – leader of the Scottish rebels
Sir Richard Vernon, 8th Baron of Shipbrook
Richard le Scrope ("Scroop"), Archbishop of York
Sir Michael – a friend to the Archbishop of York
Lady Percy ("Kate", though her real name was Elizabeth) – Hotspur's wife and Mortimer's sister Lady Mortimer (Catrin) – Glendower's daughter and Mortimer's wife Other Characters Chamberlain Sheriff Travellers Servant to Hotspur Lords, Officers, Drawers, Messengers, and Attendants
Mentioned only
Robin Ostler, deceased character who preceded the current Ostler, concerned with the price of oats Gilliams, courier sent by Hotspur
Synopsis
The play follows three groups of characters who initially interact only indirectly. These groups grow closer as the play progresses, coming together at the climax during the Battle of Shrewsbury. The first is centered around King Henry IV and his immediate council, who contrive to suppress a growing rebellion. The second is the group of rebel lords, led by Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester and including his brother, the Earl of Northumberland, and energetic nephew, Harry Percy ("Hotspur"). The Scottish Earl of Douglas, the Welshman Owen Glendower, and Edmund Mortimer also join. The third group, the comic center of the play, consists of the young Prince Hal (King Henry's eldest son) and his companions, Falstaff, Poins, Bardolph, and Peto.
From the play's outset, Henry IV's reign is beset by problems: His personal disquiet at having usurped the throne from Richard II would be solved by a crusade to the Holy Land, but trouble on his borders with Scotland and Wales make such an act impossible. Moreover, he is increasingly at odds with the Percy family, who helped him to his throne, and with Edmund Mortimer, Richard II's chosen heir.
King Henry is also troubled by the behaviour of his eldest son and heir, Hal (the future Henry V). Hal spends little time in the royal court, preferring instead to drink in taverns with lowborn and dishonorable companions. This makes him an object of scorn to the nobles and jeopardizes his legitimacy as heir; early in the play, King Henry laments that he can "See riot and dishonour stain the brow of young Harry." Hal's chief friend is Sir John Falstaff, a cowardly, drunken, but quick-witted knight whose charisma and zest for life captivate the Prince.