Kings and Queens

Henry IV

Born in 1367 
Ascended in 1399
Died in 1413, aged 46
Reigned for 14 years
Married to Mary de Bohun bearing 4 sons and 2 daughters. Then to Joan of Brittany.

Henry IV was red-haired, wild and a good fighter. These were ideal properties in a reign of unrest and rebellion. Owain Glyndwr of Wales formed a league, with Douglas of Scotland and Harry Percy (Hotspur), against Henry. Later the French supported the Welsh and possibly may have invaded if there had not been a civil war on their home ground.

During Henry's reign, John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English for the first time. This caused much unrest and discussion in the church when the public suddenly realised its true contents. Henry repressed Wycliffe's supporters who were insisting that the church should give its money to charitable ends.

Henry died in the Jerusalem Chamber, in the house of the Abbot of Westminster, in 1413. He had not achieved his wish to go on a Crusade, having spent many years as an invalid before he succumbed to leprosy.