Henry IV Facts & Worksheets

Henry IV, or Henry of Bolingbroke, was the first monarch of the House of Lancaster. His ascension marked a turning point in English royalty, as he took the throne from his cousin, Richard II.

See the fact file below for more information about Henry IV, or you can download our 27-page Henry IV worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

EARLY LIFE

• Henry was born as Henry Bolingbroke on April 3, 1367, at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire. 
• His nickname ‘Bolingbroke’ was derived from his birthplace. 
• Henry was born into a noble family. 
• He was the eldest son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Blanche of Lancaster. 
• His father, John of Gaunt, was a central political figure as the Duke of Lancaster and a respected military leader. 
• His mother, Blanche of Lancaster, was a member of the House of Plantagenet; however, she passed away when Henry was young.
• John of Gaunt married three times. 
• Henry had two younger siblings from his father’s first marriage: Elizabeth, Duchess of Exeter, and Philippa, Queen of Portugal. 
• After the death of Blanche, John of Gaunt married Infanta Constance of Castile, with whom he had one daughter, Catherine of Lancaster.
• From John of Gaunt’s third marriage to Katherine Swynford, Henry had four half-siblings: John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset; Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester; Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter; and Joan Beaufort, Countess of Westmorland. 
• Each sibling played a significant role in international politics during the late medieval period through their respective marriages and offspring, making the House of Lancaster an influential family across Europe. 
• Despite the family’s various allegiances and different mothers, the siblings share a common Lancastrian heritage. 
• From an early age, Henry demonstrated a keen interest in military matters, influenced by his father, who was a prominent military leader. 
• He was ten when he was made a Knight of the Garter in 1377.
• This event was considered his introduction to formal court life.
• Henry’s education strengthened his capabilities as a future leader. 
• As a noble, he likely received training in law, religion, literature, and martial skills—essential for medieval rulers. 
• His formative years also exposed him to court life, politics, and the nuances of leadership.

MARRIAGE

• Henry was married to Mary de Bohun around 1380. 
• Mary, the younger daughter of Humphrey de Bohun, 7th Earl of Hereford, had significant inheritance rights to important estates across England and Wales, and these lands were brought to the union. 
• Hence, their marriage was a personal and strategic alliance, where Henry acquired substantial wealth and political leverage. 
• Together, they had six children: Henry V, who succeeded his father as King; Thomas of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence; John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford; Humphrey of Lancaster, Duke of Gloucester; Blanche, who later married Louis III, Elector Palatine; and Philippa, who married Eric XIV, King of Sweden.
• Unfortunately, Mary de Bohun died in 1394, possibly due to complications of childbirth. 
• Henry, deeply affected by her death, did not remarry for several years. 
• It wasn’t until 1403, nearly a decade after Mary’s death, that Henry married Joan of Navarre to strengthen political alliances further.

CORONATION

• Henry’s coronation was a significant occasion in English history. 
• It took place at Westminster Abbey in London on October 13, 1399. 
• It came after Parliament formally proclaimed him king in late September that year, officially ending Richard II’s reign.
• Henry’s claim to the throne was strengthened by the fact that Edward the Confessor, a saintly person in England, was honored on the day of Henry’s coronation.
• Leading ecclesiastical figure and supporter of Henry’s succession claim, Archbishop Thomas Arundel of Canterbury, chaired the sessions.
• Henry’s coronation was unconventional in several ways. 
• He established a precedent by delivering a sermon in English instead of Latin, demonstrating his populist viewpoint. 
• The speech openly justified Henry’s taking over the throne by emphasizing Richard II’s authoritarian rule, again using religious and moral grounds to gain widespread approval.
• In addition to being unconventional, Henry’s ascension style involved riding a white courser into the monastery, signifying his role as a savior, as opposed to the customary foot procession. 
• He even used Richard II’s crown for the event, a small but significant touch highlighting the change from the previous to the current government.
• The English people accepted the coronation well despite these unconventional means. 
• After years of political unrest and autocratic government, many viewed it as a fresh start. 
• The crowning signaled the beginning of a new era and a significant political turn that helped establish the Tudor dynasty.

REIGN

• England’s fourth king, Henry IV, ruled from 1399 until 1413. 
• When he ascended to the throne from his cousin Richard II, he broke with tradition in a very noticeable way. 
• This action changed the course of the British monarchy by establishing Henry as the first king of the House of Lancaster.
• Henry IV came to power in England amid social and political upheaval.
• Throughout his rule, he faced several challenges from uprisings and rebellions.
• Owain Glyndwr in Wales, the Percy family in the North, and dissident nobility in the South all plotted against him. 
• In spite of these political obstacles and difficulties, Henry IV put an end to these uprisings.
• Despite his questionable claim to the throne, he was able to restore and unite royal power through military and political strength.
• The Lollards, adherents of John Wycliffe’s reforming theology viewed as heretical by the established church, also caused religious strife for Henry IV. 
• In 1401, he passed “De heretico comburendo Act”, which targeted religious reforms by the persecution of heretics, especially the Lollards.
• Henry IV’s reign was characterized by unstable finances, with the crown frequently in debt as a result of wartime deficits and dwindling revenue from taxes and royal estates. 
• Nonetheless, throughout his rule, trade and commerce increased in England, especially in the wool trade with the Continent.
• Significant legal advancements were made during his rule in terms of legislation. 
• He implemented several important legal reforms aiming to maintain law and order and to please the nobles.
• He also made different diplomatic actions to attain peace domestically and with the neighboring countries like France. 
• Henry IV was a patron of arts who mostly supported the advancements in English literature.
• One of the most significant issues during Henry IV’s reign was the establishment of a distinct line of succession for the Lancastrian dynasty. 
• Around 1411, he experienced great stress as his eldest son, Henry V, seemed to rebel against him. 
• Henry IV cleared the path for his successor in spite of his difficulties with his eldest son, who would later become Henry V. 
• Following his death in 1413, his son Henry V succeeded him. 
• Henry V gained notoriety for defeating France at the Battle of Agincourt in the Hundred Years’ War.
• England saw tremendous change under the reign of Henry IV. 
• Henry IV solidified his power and kept the kingdom under control in the face of many obstacles and resistance, which helped to clear the path for his successors and the destiny of the House of Lancaster.

DEATH

• Henry IV passed away on March 20, 1413. 
• A great deal of historical discourse has focused on the circumstances surrounding his death. 
• Before Henry died, there was general agreement that his health had been deteriorating. 
• In addition to other ailments like epilepsy or cardiovascular illness, the cause of his death was typically attributed to a severe skin disorder, most likely leprosy or psoriasis.
• Henry had many episodes of illness in his later years as his health deteriorated. 
• Leprosy stories may have originated from the mention of a disfiguring disease in some chroniclers. 
• Historical sources also speculate that he might have experienced recurrent bouts of epilepsy. 
• Henry’s poor health may have been made worse by the turbulent times of his reign, which included numerous uprisings, military expeditions, and financial troubles for the realm.
• Severe illness beset Henry’s last days. His terrible illness struck in late 1412 or early 1413. Even though they were at odds, his son, who would become Henry V, was gradually becoming the head of state since Henry IV was incapacitated.
• Nestled among his offspring, Henry IV passed away in Westminster Abbey’s Jerusalem Chamber. 
• Alongside his spouse, Joan of Navarre, his remains were carried to Canterbury Cathedral and interred there.
• An era of many difficulties, change, and substantial political realignment came to an end with his death. 
• He oversaw the succession and laid the groundwork for his son’s prosperous rule in spite of the obstacles. 
• Finally, with the rise of his son, Henry V, and the perpetuation of the Lancastrian dynasty, Henry IV’s death signaled the end of an era and the beginning of a new one in English history.

Henry IV Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Henry IV across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Henry IV. Henry IV, or Henry of Bolingbroke, was the first monarch of the House of Lancaster. His ascension marked a turning point in English royalty, as he took the throne from his cousin, Richard II.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Henry IV Facts
2. True or False
3. Fill In The Box
4. Relating Words
5. Picture Perfect
6. Challenges and Contributions
7. The Cousins
8. Quoting Henry IV
9. Shakespeare’s Henry IV
10. Wars of The Roses
11. Henry IV

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Henry IV of England?

Henry IV of England, also known as Henry Bolingbroke, was the King of England from 1399 to 1413. He was the first monarch of the House of Lancaster.

How did Henry IV come to the throne?

Henry IV usurped the throne from his cousin, Richard II, in 1399. He claimed the throne due to what he argued was his superior hereditary right, stemming from his father, John of Gaunt, and his descent from the Plantagenet line.

What were some key events during Henry IV’s reign?

Henry IV faced several challenges, including rebellions and opposition from the Percy family (Northumberland and Hotspur). He also had to contend with financial difficulties and political instability.

What is Henry IV best known for?

Henry IV is best known for his role in the deposition of Richard II and the establishment of the Lancastrian dynasty. Additionally, he faced significant challenges to his rule, including the famous Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403.

How did Henry IV’s reign end?

Henry IV died in 1413. His son succeeded him as Henry V.

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