Henry IV Part 1

Act One

King Henry IV is relieved that war is finally done, and he is ready to raise an army to march to the Holy Land, as he promised to do after gaining the crown from Richard II (whom he deposed). However, his nobleman Westmoreland informs him that there is still war: Not only is there trouble on the Scottish border, but there is a revolt happening in Wales, under the command of Owen Glendower. This Welsh rebel has taken a prisoner: Edmund Mortimer, whose sister Lady Kate is married to Harry “Hotspur” Percy (who has taken hundreds of Scottish prisoners). Henry IV recognizes the delicate politics involved, and can’t help but admire Hotspur’s passion and leadership. (Henry’s own son, Prince Hal, is living a degenerate’s life with the rabble in the slums of Eastcheap.) However, the Duke of Worcester is manipulating Hotspur against the king, and Henry knows he will have to confront them both. He sends word for them both to come to the palace, and realizes that his pilgrimage to