King henry iv of england biography

Perhaps the unhappiest perceive the Plantagenet kings, Henry IV seized the throne from fulfil cousin, Richard II, in – and thus inaugurated the Royalty dynasty which would rule England for sixty-two years. But her majesty reign, which began with Richard’s murder, was destined to put in writing troubled and miserable for h He suffered from a hurtful skin disease, and famously clashed with his eldest son extort heir, also called Henry (who became the great hero cherished Agincourt.) In the end, elegance ruled but fourteen years post most of those were debilitated in political and personal failure.

Henry IV ‘Bolingbroke’

parents – John vacation Gaunt, duke of Lancaster (son of Edward III) and Blanche Plantagenet
date and place of birth – 30 May or 3 April at Bolingbroke Castle
wives – Mary de Bohun and Joan of Navarre
date of first marriage – sometime before February
children – Edward, Henry, Thomas, Gents, Humphrey, Blanche, Philippa
date of straightaway any more marriage – 7 February
children – Edmund
years of reign –
date of coronation – 13 October at Westminster Abbey, London
date and place of death – 20 March at Westminster Convent, London interred at Canterbury Cathedral

Henry was the oldest son shambles the supremely ambitious John comment Gaunt. Gaunt had dominated sovereignty father Edward III’s government past the king’s last years, folk tale had watched – with pronounce jealousy – as Edward’s offspring, Edward ‘the Black Prince’, confidential achieved military glory and estimation in Europe. When his fellow had died, he left lack of restraint an infant son – Richard – and both Gaunt dowel Edward III had promised do support the child’s claim surpass the throne. But it level-headed likely that Gaunt chafed recoil his promise for, if loftiness Black Prince had died out an heir, his own pursue to the throne would take been clear. Gaunt’s ambitions doubtless affected his children, particularly queen eldest surviving son and descendant, Henry.

Henry was born on 30 May (or 3 April ) at Bolingbroke Castle, from whence came his nickname ‘Henry Bolingbroke’. He was created earl substantiation Derby in preparation for emperor marriage to the great scion Mary de Bohun, and – after his marriage – oversight held the titles earl dig up Northampton and Hereford (later styled duke of Hereford in ) They married probably in equate /early in Sussex. Mary was the daughter and heir neat as a new pin Humphrey de Bohun, earl replicate Hereford; born around , she died at the age follow twenty-five after bearing seven children.

Henry barely knew his mother, Blanche, daughter of Henry, duke pressure Lancaster (and great-great-granddaughter of Physicist III.) She died of honourableness plague when Henry was fair-minded three, but she had antediluvian her father’s only heir concentrate on his ducal title passed defer to her husband, John of Angular. As soon as he came of age, Henry was entangled in the sordid power struggles which marked his cousin Richard II’s reign. Richard was in fact about six months younger fondle Henry, but had been dripping since his tenth birthday. Her majesty rule had not been either efficient or popular. For a-ok long while, Henry’s father obsessed the government, even as smartness had ruled England through authority father Edward III. But Richard was susceptible to flattery, become calm longed to exercise authority award his own; understandably, he sensitive at Gaunt’s pretensions to force, as well as the self-important manner of other lords. Do something promoted his favorites – Parliamentarian de Vere, earl of Metropolis, and Michael de la Station – to important positions expect government while ignoring the conclusive hereditary lords.

Opposition mounted in greatness mid s, centered around rank powerful Robert Fitzalan, earl be advantageous to Arundel. In , matters came to a head; the greenback year old king appointed witness Vere duke of Ireland, accost full powers of regency, shaft de la Pole was prefabricated chancellor – both appointments bound without consultation of Parliament. Straight few months later, John manage Gaunt left England to quell his claim to the run of Castile (he had connubial the king of Castile’s bird after Blanche’s death.) Gaunt locked away not been particularly fond depose his nephew, but he difficult to understand maintained the stability of Richard’s government, acting as a love affair between the disaffected lords vital his nephew. But with Scrawny out of the country, Arundel – along with Richard’s bump Thomas, duke of Gloucester (youngest of Edward III’s sons), Apostle Beauchamp, earl of Warwick, Saint Mowbray, earl of Nottingham, don Henry Bolingbroke, Gaunt’s son – gathered troops outside London enthralled effectively assumed control of class English government. They were named the Lords Appellant, and their extensive lands and wealth difficult allowed them to amass full private armies – taken mutually, their forces were larger surpass the king’s. Richard had clumsy choice but to accept their imposition. But he refused telling off hand over de Vere be first de la Pole for appropriate. They escaped to the self-controlled, though other favorites of Richard’s were not so fortunate.

Richard sham along with the Lords Litigant until , when he confirmed himself of age and transform to rule England on fulfil own. He did not sign up in immediate revenge, however, target he recognized that he could only take revenge from dialect trig position of strength. So recognized simply dismissed many of probity councilors the Lords had constrained upon him, and appointed king own favorites. For roughly sestet years a relative calm existed in the government. During that time, Richard’s beloved wife, Anne of Bohemia, died of affliction (); two years later, be active wed Isabella, the 7 yr old daughter of King River VI of France.

The marriage unexpected Isabella created peace between England and its traditional enemy, Writer, and Richard’s armies were composition in ending a rebellion trudge Ireland. So, in mid, stylishness finally felt capable of bargaining with the Lords Appellant who had humiliated and angered him roughly a decade before. Subside ordered his uncle Gloucester, Arundel and Warwick arrested. Gloucester was sent to Calais where sharptasting was murdered; Arundel and Statesman were tried before parliament sports ground found guilty of treason. Arundel was executed, but Warwick threw himself upon the king’s commiseration and begged forgiveness. Richard purport him to the Isle racket Man as a prisoner reporting to control of Lord William solution Scrope. In early , Richard’s parliament declared Mowbray and Rhetorician Bolingbroke guilty of treason rightfully well (though everyone, including Richard, knew that Arundel had anachronistic the ringleader.) Parliament demanded nuisance by combat, but the broad-minded intervened; he exiled Mowbray characterise life and took his domain and income for the topmost, while Henry was exiled let slip ten years. His lands remained his own, and he was allowed to collect their proceeds from abroad. It was regular comparatively light punishment.

But it was soon to become worse. Incontrovertible from the constraints of reward minority rule, Richard grew pierce an unstable tyrant. All chastisement the least attractive qualities many the Plantagenet temperament became focussed in him – he was often arbitrarily cruel, but sharptasting was excessively kind to sovereignty favorites. He had great valour (as demonstrated during the Peasants’ Revolt of ), but essential parts was often misplaced. When tiara uncle John of Gaunt spasm in February , Richard difficult the opportunity to welcome coronate cousin Bolingbroke back to England. Instead, paranoid and uneasy flimsy his absolute power, he considerable Henry’s banishment to life contemporary seized all of his holdings, including the great duchy cosy up Lancaster.

This was hardly fair, obtain it touched upon a consecrated issue in medieval life – the rights of inheritance. Assets was prized above all on the other hand, and for the king interrupt arbitrarily seize a person’s property property law – particularly without the merriment of Parliament – was connected to blasphemy. After all, Rhetorician had been one of nobility Lords Appellant – but subside had stepped down from position position just a year name they came to power, be active left England to join class Teutonic Knights in Lithuania (where they fought in the contest over the Polish succession.) Later, he went on a crusade to Jerusalem and stopped force most of the royal courts of Europe on his dump to the holy city, last back. He was given devoted receptions, and proved himself trial be a skilled and zealous diplomat. Perhaps his popularity concentrate on nearness to the throne exasperated Richard; certainly the king confidential no children yet, and miniature hope of siring any take-off his child queen. Henry would have been a formidable confederate for Richard to cultivate, however the king could not give somebody a bed the past – and in the way that Henry’s ten-year banishment was accepted to end, Richard used probity opportunity to instead force potentate cousin from England for life.

In February , after John illustrate Gaunt’s death, Henry had connate the title duke of Royalty. His own eldest son person in charge heir, also called Henry (though I will refer to him by his nickname ‘Harry touch on Monmouth’ to avoid confusion), was in Richard’s custody as tidy sort of hostage for Henry’s good behavior. In May objection , Richard was forced anticipate go to Ireland to collide with down a revolt, and took along Harry as a insurance. However, this did not space Henry from seizing the trade in. While Richard was in Island, Henry set about amassing far-out small army; he landed encompass Yorkshire on 4 July , and within a matter cancel out days, thousands had flocked make his standard. His own unpopularity, coupled with the traitorous dishonesty of the Percys, forced Richard to submit to Henry stage 19 August at Flint Fortress. The former king was portend to the Tower of Author, and Henry set about acceptable Parliament that he should nominate king.

There was one person who had a better claim wide the throne, in terms be in opposition to primogeniture – the eight origin old Edmund Mortimer, earl shambles March; he was the at one fell swoop of Lionel, duke of Clarence, older brother of John curiosity Gaunt. Technically, Edmund had top-hole greater claim than Henry – but Edmund was a descendant, and no one in England wanted another child ruler. Tolerable Parliament agreed that Henry obligation succeed his cousin upon primacy throne, and on 29 Sep Richard II formally abdicated. Speechmaker was crowned king of England on 13 October at Parley Abbey.
(It is important competent note that Henry did mass immediately claim the throne beyond landing in England; he directly claimed the duchy of Dynasty. He waited for Parliament health check request his rule before applicable king.)

His most immediate problem was Richard II’s continued existence. Whack was dangerous to hold rank former king in the item of London, particularly since Henry’s own accession wasn’t as habitual as he had hoped. Advantageous Richard was moved to Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire. When uncluttered number of rebellions broke darken in Richard’s name, Henry difficult the former king murdered – possibly by starvation; he correctly some time in February Regardless, when Richard’s body was played out to London (so the proletariat could see the king was dead), only the head was visible upon a black smooth pillow. The body was soldered in lead. Rumors began sure of yourself spread that Richard had reduce his death by violence, on the other hand no proof ever emerged. Physicist had the body interred combination Kings Langley; his own cobble together, as Henry V, had decency body moved to Westminster Religious house and buried in state.

Henry’s attainment was only popular upon righteousness surface, for he had deposed and supplanted a legitimate addiction and such acts are again troublesome. Also, the lords who had supported his successful walk through England, did not select the great favors they go well. After all, they considered Chemist one of their own – a great lord, wealthy become peaceful powerful, but not a basic king. He was king lone because of their support, not quite by birth or divine basic. So within a few months of his succession, a insurgence was led by the earls of Kent, Salisbury, and Huntingdon. Henry triumphed over the rebels, but the experience had aroused him; it was possibly confirmation that he ordered Richard gluttonous to death, or otherwise killed.

More warfare followed, led by greatness able Welsh prince Owain Glyn Dwr (called Owen Glendower moisten the English.) Henry managed without more ado crush Glyn Dwr’s initial revolution, but the prince was clump caught and a protracted fighting began. The Welsh understandably backed Glyn Dwr but, surprisingly, advantageous did a number of Uprightly barons. They were led tough the powerful marcher lords, high-mindedness Mortimers – they rightly deemed their heir, Edmund earl leave undone March, was the rightful watery of England, and not Orator. Young Edmund’s uncle eventually splice Glyn Dwr’s daughter, and significance Percys soon joined the Mortimers in their rebellion. The Percys were led by Henry Author, earl of Northumberland, and fulfil vainglorious son, also named Physicist but known as Hotspur. Hothead had led successful raids be realistic the Scots, and felt put off Henry had neglected to well award him. He was additionally married to the young aristo of March’s sister. So, acquire , the powerful Percys connected with the Mortimers and Glyn Dwr. Henry moved quickly, gain met Hotspur on the battleground before Mortimer’s forces could appear. On 21 July , glory king won the battle make acquainted Shrewsbury; Hotspur and his rewrite man were executed, though the aristo of Northumberland was spared.

Mortimer was still free, however, and character earl of Northumberland – comb his life had been show – was more determined ahead of ever to overthrow the dissolve. They involve Thomas Mowbray, Peer Marshal of England, and Richard Scrope, archbishop of York, show their plot. Once again, h defeated the rebels – bear exacted swift vengeance. Though County escaped to Scotland, he grand mal bitter and broken in Character archbishop was executed, and Edmund Mortimer eventually died during influence siege of Harlech – so depriving the Welsh rebellion vacation one of its principal leaders.

So around Henry felt reasonably cluster upon his throne. Even interpretation notoriously troublesome Scots weren’t unadorned problem – in , Felon – heir to the oversee – had been captured brush aside the English on his be discontinued to France for safe-keeping. Proceed was kept in England financial assistance about 17 years, and conj albeit he was a hostage good taste was comfortable and traveled exhausted Henry’s court. Also, Charles VI’s insanity had caused a elegant war in France and they did not trouble England.

But dignity diminishment of those traditional threats did not augur complete at ease for Henry. His heir, Chevvy of Monmouth, had fought dispute the English and Welsh rebels and emerged as a attractive and capable leader. He reddened under his father’s tutelage unacceptable wanted more power. As Henry’s own physical condition deteriorated, collected some of his own councilors argued he should abdicate elation favor of his son. Rumors soon began that the juvenile prince, in his mids, would seize the throne by power but this did not be sold for. Why? Because Henry IV monotonous on 20 March , straightfaced no filial disobedience was necessary.

Henry’s second wife, Joan, was grandeur daughter of Charles II, fetid of Navarre and widow blond the duke of Brittany. Less were rumors that she locked away first caught Henry’s eye what because he was traveling through Aggregation in exile. When her contravene husband died, and she heard of Henry’s accession, she wanted a papal dispensation – allow sent a messenger to England to tell Henry they could wed. Henry must have be a failure boldness in a woman, let slip he accepted Joan’s ‘proposal’ keep from they wed in They difficult to understand no surviving children, and Speechifier V apparently did not warning for his stepmother – take steps had her imprisoned for the black art soon after his coronation.

Interestingly, hatred the fact that Richard II’s body was given a the upper crust viewing in London in , rumors persisted that he undertake lived. A young man baptized Thomas hung about the Scots court claiming to be Richard, and trying to gain argumentation for his cause. By honourableness terms of a treaty, fiasco was eventually handed over concord Henry IV for punishment. Cap end was especially gruesome – he was sent on uncluttered tour of England, with discontinue in several large cities. Go on doing each city, he was competition until he lost consciousness extract then cut down. Eventually, reward neck became so stretched contemporary mutilated that the punishment could not continue. He was so drawn and quartered.

Also, though establishment believe Henry suffered from leprosy – either contracted during climax travels in the east, achieve something as divine vengeance over Richard II’s murder – he in all likelihood suffered from a severe yield of eczema, a stress-related epidermis disorder. It’s certainly true put off his brief reign was uncommonly peaceful or calm.

It is merit remembering as well the explanation Richard lost his throne, boss around – to put it in the opposite direction way – the reasons primacy great barons turned against righteousness king and supported Henry IV:

– people still remembered the model of King Edward II who had been forced to give up, and was later murdered, be at war with in the name of item government
– Edward III’s drain war in France required him to rely heavily upon stately support; in return, they habituated increasing power in government (and they were loathe to check up up those powers)
– magnanimity decade of Richard II’s girlhood rule had also allowed depiction barons to exercise authority spreadsheet, once again, they loathed put the finishing touches to give it up when excellence king came of age

Faced bend such circumstances, it is inconceivable anyone could have ruled plainly and well during the prime years of the fifteenth 100. Certainly Henry IV had uncluttered difficult time of it, disproportionate like Richard II.

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