King Henry IV (1366-1413) ruled England from age 33. He was the founder of the Lancaster dynasty. Under Richard II he was Earl of Derby initially. Thereafter he became Duke of Hereford. He became king by vanquishing the forces of Richard II. He also took part in a crusade campaign. The present play contains details of his reign. It took years for Richard to be accepted as monarch. His benefactors were angered by his policies. Within his family he was tormented by the ways of his heir apparent. Yet the valour of his two sons helps him to supress a revolt in the northern parts of his kingdom. Sir John Falstaff as the happy-go-lucky nobleman is entertaining.
The story in brief. The Percys of Northumberland are angry with king Henry IV. They feel that he has not kept the promises that he made when he became king. Chief among the rebels is Hotspur and Mortimer. The prince of Wales spends his time making merry with commoners. The rebels are offered a chance to voice their opinion. They prefer to fight to stake the claim of an alternate king. In the battle that follows Hotspur is killed. The rebels flee. However more battles remain to be fought.