What do you think?
Rate this book
Henry IV, Part II
Literature Guides
Created by Harvard students for students everywhere, SparkNotes is a new breed of study guide: smarter, better, faster. Geared to what today's students need to know, SparkNotes provide:
Chapter-by-chapter analysis Explanations of key themes, motifs, and symbols A review quiz and essay topicsLively and accessible, these guides are perfect for late-night studying and writing papers.
Nook
6 people want to read
About the author
SparkNotes
1,779 books142 followersMany of the editions by this group of authors are actually guides to books rather than the works.
If the author of the SparkNotes is known, they should be the first author. Please leave these SparkNotes Editors as the second author and the author of the original work as the last author. Do not combine with the original work. Do not put the author of the ORIGINAL work first.
Link to discussion.
If the author of the SparkNotes is known, they should be the first author. Please leave these SparkNotes Editors as the second author and the author of the original work as the last author. Do not combine with the original work. Do not put the author of the ORIGINAL work first.
Link to discussion.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 19, 2022
Following up on their win at the Battle of Shrewsbury (1403), the forces of King Henry IV (1367-1413) (grandson of Edward III) go off to Wales to fight against Owain Glyndwyr (1359-1415) and the king's royal relative, Edmund Mortimer (1376-1409) (great-grandson of Edward III) .
............................
Glyndŵr's attacks on the king's forces were largely unsuccessful, and according to T. F. Tout, "Mortimer himself was reduced to great distress". He died in 1409, either during or shortly after the eight-month siege of Glyndŵr's stronghold of Harlech Castle by Henry IV's son, Henry, Prince of Wales (1386-1422). Wikipedia.
............................
Meanwhile, Henry Percy, the Earl of Northumberland (1341-1408), is informed by two successive messengers, Travers (servant) and Morton (retainer), that the rebel army has lost (and fled) the Battle of Shrewsbury (July 1403);
also that the earl's son, Hotspur (1363-1403) (rebel co-leader), is dead. The earl’s brother, Thomas Percy, the Earl of Worcester (1343-1403), (rebel co-leader), is a prisoner (later executed), and Archibald Douglas 1369-1424) (killed Sir Walter Blount, royal standard bearer) has been taken prisoner (later released).
Lord (Thomas) Bardolph (1369-1408) had initially misinformed the earl with completely erroneous news acquired through the grapevine (rumor), namely a "gentleman well bred" who was on his way to Chester.
...........................................................................................
...(the) King is almost wounded to the death,
...
Prince Harry slain outright; ... the Blunts
Killed by the hand of Douglas; ... Prince John
And Westmoreland and Stafford fled the field;
... Sir John,
Is prisoner to your son.
.......................................................................................
Mournful Northumberland is encouraged, by Morton, to restrain himself from "stormy passion" for the sake of his allies.
Travers points out that everyone knew the risks: "ventured on such dangerous seas."
............
Notes: Caesar, Priam and Cain
...........
Morton then says that Richard le Scrope, Archbishop of York (1350-1405) has raised a powerful army and his opposition to the king is based on Richard II's prior mistreatment (and the confiscation of the clergy's landed wealth): "scraped from Pomfret stones;" and on religious grounds: "derives from heaven his quarrel and his cause."
Northumberland is reinvigorated by Morton's words: "... counsel everyman... for safety and revenge."
..................
King Henry IV is informed by the Earl of Warwick and the Earl of Surrey that the Earl of Northumberland was thinking of waging war against him; by which time King Henry IV had already known this and is sending his forces to the north.
Unbeknownst to Henry IV though, the Earl of Northumberland had decided not to fight with the rebels against King Henry IV. But it makes no difference.
Some of the other rebels are still alive, the Archbishop of York and three allies, Thomas Mowbray, the Earl Marshal, Lord Hastings, and Lord Bardolph, and they are planning their next move against King Henry IV's forces.
They weren't sure if the Earl of Northumberland will send his army too but decide to go ahead whether or not.
On the one hand, Lord Hastings, had pointed out that Northumberland is angry, but, on the other hand, Lord Bardolph and the Archbishop, had pointed out that Northumberland had backed out for the Shrewsbury battle.
Lord Hastings, has reminded them that King Henry IV must now divide his forces into three separate parts, one to fight them, one for the guerrilla rebels in Wales led by Owen Glendower, and one to maintain the fight in a current dispute with the French.
Consequently, the Archbishop of York, Mowbray and Lord Hastings go to Gaultree Forest in preparation for a battle against a section of the royal forces.
Once the rebels are there, a soldier, returning to the Gaultree camp from a scouting mission, reports that King Henry IV's approaching army is now barely a mile away.
Following the scout, Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland (1364-1425), an ally of King Henry IV, comes over to the camp, and accuses the Archbishop of improperly using his religious authority to support rebellion.
The Archbishop replied that he did not want to, but he felt he had no choice, since King Henry was leading the country into ruin and the rebels could not get their complaints addressed.
Westmoreland tells the rebels that Prince John has been given full authority to act in the king's name and is willing to grant their demands if they seem reasonable.
The Archbishop gives Westmoreland a list of the rebels' demands, and Westmoreland leaves to show it to Prince John.
While the rebels wait for Westmoreland to return, Mowbray voices his fear that, even if they do make peace, the royal family will only be waiting for an opportunity to have them killed. However, Hastings and the Archbishop are sure that his fears are groundless.
Westmoreland returns to the rebels Gaultree camp, and brings them back with him to the royal camp to speak with Prince John.
The prince says that he has looked over the demands and that they seem reasonable; he will grant all the rebels' requests. If they agree, he says, they should discharge their army and let the soldiers go home.
Very pleased, the rebel leaders send messengers to tell their soldiers that they can go home. They and Prince John drink together and make small talk about the upcoming peace.
However, as soon as word comes from the rebels' messengers that their army has been scattered, Prince John gives an order to arrest Hastings, Mowbray, and the Archbishop as traitors.
When they ask how he can be so dishonorable, Prince John answers that he is not breaking his word: he promised to address their complaints, and he will.
However, he never promised not to kill the rebels themselves. He then gives orders for the rebels to be taken away and executed.
Eventually, Back in London, Henry IV dies (1367-1413) and his son becomes Henry V (1386-1422) with plans to fight in France.
Throughout this time of confrontation, the Chief Justice wants to talk to Falstaff about a criminal charge for highway robbery. Falstaff was supposed to appear in court about the matter.
But Falstaff has been called away to fight against the Earl of Northumberland and the Archbishop of York with John of Lancaster’s army, 1st Duke of Bedford, younger son of King Henry IV.
After much military services, and visits to former school friends, Falstaff is eventually disowned by Henry V.
Royal prerogatives - the myths of fatherhood and kingly honor.
............................
Glyndŵr's attacks on the king's forces were largely unsuccessful, and according to T. F. Tout, "Mortimer himself was reduced to great distress". He died in 1409, either during or shortly after the eight-month siege of Glyndŵr's stronghold of Harlech Castle by Henry IV's son, Henry, Prince of Wales (1386-1422). Wikipedia.
............................
Meanwhile, Henry Percy, the Earl of Northumberland (1341-1408), is informed by two successive messengers, Travers (servant) and Morton (retainer), that the rebel army has lost (and fled) the Battle of Shrewsbury (July 1403);
also that the earl's son, Hotspur (1363-1403) (rebel co-leader), is dead. The earl’s brother, Thomas Percy, the Earl of Worcester (1343-1403), (rebel co-leader), is a prisoner (later executed), and Archibald Douglas 1369-1424) (killed Sir Walter Blount, royal standard bearer) has been taken prisoner (later released).
Lord (Thomas) Bardolph (1369-1408) had initially misinformed the earl with completely erroneous news acquired through the grapevine (rumor), namely a "gentleman well bred" who was on his way to Chester.
...........................................................................................
...(the) King is almost wounded to the death,
...
Prince Harry slain outright; ... the Blunts
Killed by the hand of Douglas; ... Prince John
And Westmoreland and Stafford fled the field;
... Sir John,
Is prisoner to your son.
.......................................................................................
Mournful Northumberland is encouraged, by Morton, to restrain himself from "stormy passion" for the sake of his allies.
Travers points out that everyone knew the risks: "ventured on such dangerous seas."
............
Notes: Caesar, Priam and Cain
...........
Morton then says that Richard le Scrope, Archbishop of York (1350-1405) has raised a powerful army and his opposition to the king is based on Richard II's prior mistreatment (and the confiscation of the clergy's landed wealth): "scraped from Pomfret stones;" and on religious grounds: "derives from heaven his quarrel and his cause."
Northumberland is reinvigorated by Morton's words: "... counsel everyman... for safety and revenge."
..................
King Henry IV is informed by the Earl of Warwick and the Earl of Surrey that the Earl of Northumberland was thinking of waging war against him; by which time King Henry IV had already known this and is sending his forces to the north.
Unbeknownst to Henry IV though, the Earl of Northumberland had decided not to fight with the rebels against King Henry IV. But it makes no difference.
Some of the other rebels are still alive, the Archbishop of York and three allies, Thomas Mowbray, the Earl Marshal, Lord Hastings, and Lord Bardolph, and they are planning their next move against King Henry IV's forces.
They weren't sure if the Earl of Northumberland will send his army too but decide to go ahead whether or not.
On the one hand, Lord Hastings, had pointed out that Northumberland is angry, but, on the other hand, Lord Bardolph and the Archbishop, had pointed out that Northumberland had backed out for the Shrewsbury battle.
Lord Hastings, has reminded them that King Henry IV must now divide his forces into three separate parts, one to fight them, one for the guerrilla rebels in Wales led by Owen Glendower, and one to maintain the fight in a current dispute with the French.
Consequently, the Archbishop of York, Mowbray and Lord Hastings go to Gaultree Forest in preparation for a battle against a section of the royal forces.
Once the rebels are there, a soldier, returning to the Gaultree camp from a scouting mission, reports that King Henry IV's approaching army is now barely a mile away.
Following the scout, Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland (1364-1425), an ally of King Henry IV, comes over to the camp, and accuses the Archbishop of improperly using his religious authority to support rebellion.
The Archbishop replied that he did not want to, but he felt he had no choice, since King Henry was leading the country into ruin and the rebels could not get their complaints addressed.
Westmoreland tells the rebels that Prince John has been given full authority to act in the king's name and is willing to grant their demands if they seem reasonable.
The Archbishop gives Westmoreland a list of the rebels' demands, and Westmoreland leaves to show it to Prince John.
While the rebels wait for Westmoreland to return, Mowbray voices his fear that, even if they do make peace, the royal family will only be waiting for an opportunity to have them killed. However, Hastings and the Archbishop are sure that his fears are groundless.
Westmoreland returns to the rebels Gaultree camp, and brings them back with him to the royal camp to speak with Prince John.
The prince says that he has looked over the demands and that they seem reasonable; he will grant all the rebels' requests. If they agree, he says, they should discharge their army and let the soldiers go home.
Very pleased, the rebel leaders send messengers to tell their soldiers that they can go home. They and Prince John drink together and make small talk about the upcoming peace.
However, as soon as word comes from the rebels' messengers that their army has been scattered, Prince John gives an order to arrest Hastings, Mowbray, and the Archbishop as traitors.
When they ask how he can be so dishonorable, Prince John answers that he is not breaking his word: he promised to address their complaints, and he will.
However, he never promised not to kill the rebels themselves. He then gives orders for the rebels to be taken away and executed.
Eventually, Back in London, Henry IV dies (1367-1413) and his son becomes Henry V (1386-1422) with plans to fight in France.
Throughout this time of confrontation, the Chief Justice wants to talk to Falstaff about a criminal charge for highway robbery. Falstaff was supposed to appear in court about the matter.
But Falstaff has been called away to fight against the Earl of Northumberland and the Archbishop of York with John of Lancaster’s army, 1st Duke of Bedford, younger son of King Henry IV.
After much military services, and visits to former school friends, Falstaff is eventually disowned by Henry V.
Royal prerogatives - the myths of fatherhood and kingly honor.
Displaying 1 of 1 review