The Reign of Henry IV

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Who was Henry IV

Henry IV was:

  • The son of John of Gaunt (Duke of LANCASTER)
  • Henry IV had USURPED the throne, meaning he had set a DANGEROUS PRECENDENCE
  • This is because some AMBITIOUS NOBLEMEN would have wanted to do the same thing
  • This had LED to the throne LOSING some of its AUTHORITY
  • The Crown's POWER & AUTHORITY RELIED heavily on the skill, STRENGTH, & PERSONALITY of the MONARCH
  • Henry IV did POSSESS these attributes necessary to RULE EFFECTIVELY
  • Although many nobles were OPPOSED to Richard II, few were wholeheartedly for Henry
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Challenges to Henry IV's Throne

What were the CHALLENGES to Henry IV's throne:

  • RICHARD II was a prominent THREAT to Henry IV because:
  • NOBLES who had been closely LINKED to RICHARD II were the first ones to CONSPIRE AGAINST the new regime.
  • JOHN & THOMAS HOLLAND were joined in the conspiracy by FORMER SUPPORTERS of the former King John Montacute
    • However, this was quickly QUASHED by Henry IV who had nobles involved TRIED & EXECUTED, meaning he had SUCCESSFULLY  OVERCOME his first THREAT.
  • PARLIAMENT had complained about his SPENDING
  • The MOST SERIOUS OPPOSITION was the PERCY family (the MOST POWERFUL NOBLE FAMILIES)
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Conflict with France, Scotland & Wales

Henry IV was faced with opposition from France, Scotland and Wales:

  • Scotland and France tried to OPPOSE the WEAKENED ENGLAND, led by an UNPOPULAR MONARCH
  • Henry LED an ARMY to CONFRONT HIS ENEMIES before the SCOTTISH had the chance to invade England
  • This was SUCCESSFUL
  • HOWEVER, he FAILED to bring the scotts to BATTLE & was UNABLE to SUSTAIN an OCCUPATION of Scotland, as he LACKED the funds & resources
  • Henry's SUCCESSFUL MILITARY EXPEDITION to SCOTLAND DETERRED the FRENCH from mounting an ATTACK on English territory in France
  • As a result, the French signed a truce with Richard II
  • Henry's TRIUMPH in ensuring there was NO RESUMPTION was SHORT LIVED because he heard that the WELSH had RISEN in REBELLION
  • To make matters worse, PARLIAMENT REFUSED to GRANT HENRY ADDITIONAL MONEY to EQUIP & SUSTAIN an ARMY
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