Henry IV King of England Date of Birth: 03.04.1367 Country: Great Britain

1. Henry IV Lancaster, Founder of the House of Lancaster
2. Early Life and Opposition to Richard II
3. Life as a Knight Errant
4. Exile and Return
5. Rebellion and Accession to the Throne
6. Renaissance of English Language
7. Shakespeare's Literary Portrayal

Henry IV Lancaster, Founder of the House of Lancaster

Henry IV Lancaster (1367-1413) was the founder of the House of Lancaster, a junior branch of the Plantagenet dynasty. He reigned as King of England from 1399 to 1413.

Early Life and Opposition to Richard II

Born in 1367 to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, Henry spent his youth participating in aristocratic opposition to the increasing authority of King Richard II. However, in 1388, he joined forces with the king.

Life as a Knight Errant

From 1390 to 1392, Henry lived as a knight errant in continental Europe and Palestine. In 1397, he was granted the title Duke of Hereford.

Exile and Return

Richard II exploited a quarrel between Henry and Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, to exile both men from England. After John of Gaunt's death in 1399, Richard confiscated his lands, prompting Henry to return against the king's will.

Rebellion and Accession to the Throne

Supported by numerous noblemen, Henry raised a rebellion that swiftly deposed Richard. In September 1399, he was elected king as Henry IV.

Renaissance of English Language

Henry IV was the first English monarch since the Norman invasion of 1066 whose native tongue was English rather than French (specifically Anglo-Norman). Despite some resistance, his reign marked the beginning of French language's decline in England and the parallel revival of Anglo-Saxon written and spoken words, leading to the development of modern English.

Shakespeare's Literary Portrayal

Henry IV's life and reign have been immortalized in William Shakespeare's historical chronicles, "Richard II" and "Henry IV."