Changes

In 1399, John of Gaunt died, and Richard confiscated the Lancastrian estates. Joined by others who had suffered under the king’s autocracy, he took advantage of Richard’s absence in [[Ireland]] and invaded. Richard was forced to abdicate and was incarcerated in [[Pontefract Castle]], where he died – probably murdered - the following year.  

In 1399, John of Gaunt died, and Richard confiscated the Lancastrian estates. Joined by others who had suffered under the king’s autocracy, he took advantage of Richard’s absence in [[Ireland]] and invaded. Richard was forced to abdicate and was incarcerated in [[Pontefract Castle]], where he died – probably murdered - the following year.  

For most of the next nine years he fought to keep his crown – against Richard’s supporters in 1400; against the [[Welsh]] under [[Owen Glendower]] (1400-1409); the [[Percy]] lords (1403-1408) and crushing a resurrection organised by Richard Scrope, the [[Archbishop]] of [[York]] in 1405. In 1408 Henry fell ill. There is conjecture that he had leprosy, though stress is as likely a cause. Certainly there was much discussion at the time that he was being punished for his execution of Scrope. It was to get steadily worse, and was to cause his death. Increasingly in the last nine years of his reign the kingdom was effectively ruled by his eldest son, Henry of Monmouth, the future [[Henry V]].<ref>The Plantagenet Encyclopedia. The Oxford Companion to British History.</ref>

For most of the next nine years he fought to keep his crown – against Richard's supporters in 1400; against the [[Welsh]] under [[Owen Glendower]] (1400-1409); the [[Percy]] lords (1403-1408) and crushing a resurrection organised by Richard Scrope, the [[Archbishop]] of [[York]] in 1405. In 1408 Henry fell ill. There is conjecture that he had leprosy, though stress is as likely a cause. Certainly there was much discussion at the time that he was being punished for his execution of Scrope. It was to get steadily worse, and was to cause his death. Increasingly in the last nine years of his reign the kingdom was effectively ruled by his eldest son, Henry of Monmouth, the future [[Henry V]].<ref>The Plantagenet Encyclopedia. The Oxford Companion to British History.</ref>

He had literary and musical tastes, was said to be chivalrous; was an able administrator and won fame as the foremost [[joust]]er of his age. He was a [[crusades|crusader]], joining the [[Teutonic Knights]] in [[Lithuania]] in 1390, and, during the next three years, visited [[Prussia]] and made a [[pilgrimage]] to [[Jerusalem]].  His successes in the almost constant troubles of the first years of his reign are put down to ability, political acumen and the (well rewarded, no doubt) loyalty of his supporters. Like his grandfather, he was not against conciliation for the greater good.

He had literary and musical tastes, was said to be chivalrous; was an able administrator and won fame as the foremost [[joust]]er of his age. He was a [[crusades|crusader]], joining the [[Teutonic Knights]] in [[Lithuania]] in 1390, and, during the next three years, visited [[Prussia]] and made a [[pilgrimage]] to [[Jerusalem]].  His successes in the almost constant troubles of the first years of his reign are put down to ability, political acumen and the (well rewarded, no doubt) loyalty of his supporters. Like his grandfather, he was not against conciliation for the greater good.

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry 4}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry 4}}

{{Nb english monarchs}}

{{Nb english monarchs}}