King Henry IV Historical Background

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  • King Henry IV Historical Background
    • Set 15th century Britain Written 16th century Britain
      • Kings had ultimate power but they depended upon the support of nobility if they wanted to retain power - wearing the King was not easy
        • The source of political instability rests with the manner in which Henry became King
          • Henry was crowned not as a son lineally succeeding his father, but as a rival noble have disposed a lawful monarch
            • The Percy's (Earl of Northumberland, Earl of Worcester and Hotspur) who sided with Henry against Richard have come to regret their role in setting 'the crown/Upon the head of this forgetful man'
              • The rebels become fierce legitimists, rallying behind the claim of Mortimer to the throne who was 'proclaimed by Richard, that dead is, the next of blood'
          • So, the play is haunted of recollection of the usurpation of Richard II

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