Henry IV of England ruled as king from 1399 to 1413 CE. Known as Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster before he became king, Henry clashed with his cousin Richard II of England (r. 1377-1399 CE) and was exiled in 1397 CE. Returning to England with a small army in the summer of 1399 CE, Henry made himself king as Richard's support collapsed. Kicking off his reign with the murder of his predecessor, Henry would face major rebellions in both England and Wales, and he frequently clashed with Parliament, particularly the 'Long Parliament' of 1406 CE. Henry was the first of the kings from the House of Lancaster and he was succeeded by his son Henry V of England (r. 1413-1422 CE).
More about: Henry IV of EnglandDefinition
Timeline
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1337 - 1453The Hundred Years' War between England and France.
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Apr 1366Henry Bolingbroke, future Henry IV of England, is born at Bolingbroke Castle.
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5 Feb 1381Henry Bolingbroke, future Henry IV of England, marries Mary of Bohun.
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16 Sep 1387Prince Henry, future Henry V of England, is born at Monmouth Castle.
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Dec 1387A group of English barons defeat Robert de Vere and his supporters at the Battle of Radcot Bridge near Oxford.
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1388The 'Merciless Parliament' appoints five Lords Appellants to rule England and sidelines Richard II of England.
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1397Richard II of England begins a purge on the Lords Appellant, who were voted by the 'Merciless Parliament' to rule in his stead. They are executed or exiled, including Henry Bolingbroke.
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1399 - 1413Reign of Henry IV of England.
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3 Feb 1399Death of John of Gaunt, son of Edward III of England and Duke of Lancaster. His son Henry Bolingbroke inherits the title and the claim to the throne.
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Jun 1399 - Jul 1399Henry Bolingbroke lands in northern England with a small invading army and marches south.
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Sep 1399Richard II of England is imprisoned in the Tower of London by Henry Bolingbroke.
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29 Sep 1399Henry Bolingbroke forces Richard II of England to sign a formal document of abdication.
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30 Sep 1399Parliament officially nominates Henry Bolingbroke as Richard II of England’s successor.
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13 Oct 1399Coronation of Henry IV of England in Westminster Abbey.
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1400The Welsh leader Owain Glyn Dwr declares himself the Prince of Wales.
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14 Feb 1400Death of Richard II of England in Pontefract Castle, Yorkshire.
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21 Jul 1403Henry IV of England defeats rebellious barons at the Battle of Shrewsbury. Prince Henry, future Henry V of England also participates.
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1404The Welsh rebel leader Owain Glyn Dwr captures Harlech Castle.
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1406The 'Long Parliament' haggles with Henry IV of England over state finances.
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22 Mar 1406The young Prince James, future James I of Scotland, is captured after a shipwreck and imprisoned in England for 18 years by Henry IV of England.
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Feb 1408Henry IV of England wins the Battle of Bramham Moor against the combined Welsh and English rebels.
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1409A royal army led by the Prince of Wales, future King Henry V of England, recaptures Harlech Castle in Wales.
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20 Mar 1413Henry IV of England dies of illness.
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9 Apr 1413Coronation of Henry V of England in Westminster Abbey.
